National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center, a program of the National Center for Advancing and Translational Sciences

Autosomal recessive Alport syndrome



My son rejected his first kidney transplant, can I be a donor since I am also a carrier?

While there are no official guidelines, there has been some literature published on this topic. In particular, you may find the following articles to be a helpful resource. The articles conclude that carrier mothers with normal kidney function can be donors to a child with Alport syndrome and endā€stage renal failure. The mothers may be at an increased risk for kidney symptoms and complications post-donation. We do recommend that you talk with your healthcare provider regarding these risks. Ultimately, decisions regarding organ donation are up to the particular transplant program, and requirements can vary between programs. 

Yachnin T et al. The mother of an Alport's syndrome patient: a safe kidney donor? Nephrol. Dial. Transplant. 2002;17(4):683-684.

Sessa A et al. Renal transplantation from living donor parents in two brothers with Alport syndrome. Can asymptomatic female carriers of the Alport gene be accepted as kidney donors? Nephron. 1995;70(1):106-9.
Last updated: 4/18/2014

We hope this information is helpful. We strongly recommend you discuss this information with your doctor. If you still have questions, please contact us.

Warm regards,
GARD Information Specialist

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