Question:

Can a sickle cell anemia patient have a kidney transplant?

Answer:

Yes, patients with sickle cell anemia can receive a kidney transplant but the outcomes are not as good as for other patients, especially because the incidence and severity of sickle crises tend to increase following transplantation. There is also a high rate of morbidity and mortality due to infection. Some centers are performing kidney transplantation only after bone marrow transplantation in an effort to eliminate the sickle cells, but this strategy is considered experimental.

For more information:

Go to the Kidney Diseases health topic.