Psychosocial outcomes of children and parents after renal transplantation.

Abstract

Introduction: Although some highlighted problems such as parental stress, child behavioural problems and financial instability occur after transplantation, much still remains unknown about the extent, nature, reasons and implications of family difficulties caused by renal transplantation in childhood. Objectives: To examine the psychosocial aspects, levels of parental stress and behavioural problems among children after renal transplantation and to study the predictors of psychosocial issues in the study sample. Design, setting and method: A cross sectional analytical study was conducted at the University Paediatric Unit of the Teaching Hospital, Peradeniya in September-October 2012. All patients who are being followed up at the post renal transplant clinic were recruited to the study. Data was collected using an interviewer-administered questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS 16.0. Results: Thirty-eight recipients of paediatric renal transplants were recruited. 67.5% were males. Feeling of happiness constantly or regularly was reported by 82.5% of children while irritability was a significant problem in 47.5%. Sleep disturbance was a recognized problem in 50% of children. At 2 years of transplantation 85 % of children had not attended school but at 5 years after transplantation school dropout was 10 %. This difference was statistically significant [X2=25.8, p<0.001]. 52.5% of parents had expressed their stress on a constant or regular basis. 37.5% of fathers had lost their jobs consequent to renal transplantation and 30% of families had a monthly income less than LKR 10, 000. Conclusions: 82.5% of children reported feelings of happiness on a constant or regular basis after renal transplantation. Non-attendance at school was observed in 85% at 2 years of transplantation but the school dropout was 10% at 5 years after transplantation. 52.5% of parents had expressed their stress on a constant or regular basis.