Psychiatric aspects of organ transplantation in children and adolescents.

Organ transplantation has become the treatment of choice for a number of life-threatening childhood illnesses. This article explores four psychiatric issues raised by pediatric transplantation: 1) the role of the family, 2) the context of the illness, 3) developmental issues, and 4) long-term effects. The effects of these issues on children before, during, and after the transplant hospitalization are reviewed, with suggestions for clinicians and researchers working in this challenging new area.