Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) typing and organ matching - 2022 Pediatric Transplant Conference

From the 2022 Pediatric Transplant Conference, part of National Pediatric Transplant Week and National Donate Life Month.
Presenter:
Anne Halpin, PhD Candidate at the University of Alberta
Catherine Theis, Pediatric Transplant Coordinator, Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital
Did you know that organ matching is more complicated in pediatric transplants than in adult transplants? The reason is that a child's immune system is still developing, and the body can react differently to a foreign organ. One important factor in organ matching is something called HLA (Human Leukocyte Antigen). Each person has unique HLA markers, which help the body determine whether or not to accept a transplant. There is work underway to match incompatible blood types to help expand children's chances of getting a life-saving transplant. Hear more about how clinicians are getting closer to ending the organ donation waitlist for children.
Intro music: Time Warp by Emil Waldhauer (Notize), 2022. Used with permission.
Outro music: Believe in Me by Emil Waldhauer (Notize), 2022. Used with permission.