Pediatric liver transplant recipients are not just young adults: The importance of a structured health care transition program in adult transplant centers

Liver Transpl. 2024 Sep 1;30(9):945-959. doi: 10.1097/LVT.0000000000000401. Epub 2024 May 28.

Abstract

Health care transition (HCT) is a vulnerable period that continues into adulthood, even after the transfer of care. Given the growing population of pediatric liver transplant recipients reaching young adulthood, the need for a standardized and multidisciplinary approach to transition that spans from pediatric to adult care is becoming more imperative. In this article, we review the unique challenges and barriers to successful HCT that adolescent and young adults (AYAs) who have undergone liver transplant face, highlight the gap in transition care in the adult setting, and present the Six Core Elements of Health Care Transition TM as a framework that can be used by adult providers to incorporate AYAs systematically and collaboratively into adult practice. Multidisciplinary HCT programs should be the standard of care for all AYAs with liver transplant, and while implementation is a necessary first step, ongoing efforts to increase awareness, funding, and research on HCTs into adulthood are needed.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Liver Transplantation* / adverse effects
  • Liver Transplantation* / standards
  • Liver Transplantation* / statistics & numerical data
  • Transition to Adult Care* / organization & administration
  • Transition to Adult Care* / standards
  • Transplant Recipients / statistics & numerical data
  • Young Adult