Donor Risk Factors Affecting Graft Survival in Pediatric Kidney Transplants: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND

Pediatric patients with end-stage kidney disease require kidney transplants (KTs) throughout their lifetime. Long-term graft survival is dependent on multiple factors, which are broadly categorized as donor- and recipient-related factors. Advances in transplant care and changes in donor population demographics necessitate an updated analysis on donor risk factors to guide clinical decision-making.

OBJECTIVE

In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we will focus on the impact of donor factors on graft survival in pediatric KT, excluding transplants from donation after circulatory death as the latter are less common in children.

METHODS

This review encompasses studies reporting donor-related risk factors for graft survival in pediatric KT, including age, size, comorbidities, and ethnicity for living and deceased donors, as well as the cause of death and length of hospitalization for deceased donors. The literature search will use the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane. Two independent reviewers will select studies and assess their quality. Pooled estimates of relevant factors will be computed via a random-effects model using the Stata/BE (version 19) software. Depending on data availability, subgroup analyses will be conducted based on donor type (living vs deceased). The reporting of findings will adhere to the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines.

RESULTS

The search and screening for the systematic literature review are anticipated to be finished in June 2026. Data extraction, quality appraisal, and subsequent data synthesis will begin in July 2026. The review is expected to be completed by October 2026, and the study results will be published in 2027.

CONCLUSIONS

Our review will provide a comprehensive synthesis of the available evidence on kidney donor risk factors impacting graft survival in pediatric KT. The results of this review could provide valuable insights for clinical decisions, policy development, and ongoing efforts to improve outcomes for children with end-stage kidney disease requiring KT.