Kidney Transplant

If you or your child needs a kidney transplant, you can rely on the experts at University of Missouri Health Care. Our kidney transplant team is one of the most experienced in the country and uses evidence-based treatment and technology to manage patients with kidney failure.

Photo of the MU Health Care transplant team.

We offer a full spectrum of kidney care 24/7 to support and guide you and your family during every phase of the transplant process. Our team is here to answer your questions and connect you to other resources as needed. Our goal is to provide compassionate care and lifelong support to you or your loved one.

Our transplant surgeons have performed more than 1,000 kidney transplants over the past 40 years. In the past five years, our kidney transplant team has significantly reduced the length of hospital stay and decreased the number of complications following a kidney transplant.

In addition, our average kidney transplant acute rejection rate is less than 10 percent, which is better than the national average of approximately 15 percent.

Reasons for a kidney transplant

Common reasons for kidney transplant due to kidney failure are:

Congenital, familial and metabolic disorders. These are conditions you are born with, inherit or that affect your metabolic system.
Diabetes. This autoimmune disorder affects the kidneys, pancreas and other organs.
Glomerular diseases. These are diseases that affect the glomeruli, which strain fluid in the kidneys.
Hypertensive nephrosclerosis. This means there is damage to the kidneys caused by high blood pressure.
Malignant hypertension. This is extremely high blood pressure that damages the organs.
Polycystic kidney disease. This disease causes numerous cysts or growths on the kidneys.
Renovascular and other vascular diseases. These diseases cause blockages or narrowing in the renal arteries or veins.
Tubular and interstitial diseases. These diseases affect the portions of the kidney outside the glomerulus, a cluster of blood vessels that filter waste products from the blood.

Comprehensive team approach

The kidney transplant program offers a depth of clinical expertise, research experience and an array of leading-edge resources for both children and adults.