[ISPHLT-SY4-3] The Changing face of pediatric lung transplant - new demographics,new challenges
Pediatric lung transplant has been an accepted treatment option for children with end-stage lung disease for over 30 years. Cystic fibrosis has been the primary indication for lung transplantation in children. Over the last decade, the treatment and outcomes of children with cystic fibrosis has improved dramatically with the availability of new drugs, specifically CFTR modulators. These advancements have lead to a shift in other diagnosis, such as pulmonary hypertension and childhood interstitial lung disease, becoming more common indications for pediatric lung transplant. These changes are leading to children undergoing lung transplant that are younger and sicker at the time of transplant. These new demographics are creating new challenges for pediatric lung transplant programs.