Pediatric renal transplantation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, 1968 to 1993.

From May 5, 1968 through January 31, 1993, 272 renal allografts were performed in 233 children at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. Graft survival has improved since 1983 with the addition of cyclosporine. Acute and chronic rejections continue to be the major causes of graft failure. The use of living-related donor renal allografts optimizes long-term graft function, allows early transplantation, and minimizes potential long-term dialysis complications in children.