9-Year-Old Beats Kidney Failure After Grandmother’s Life-Saving Donation – Manipal Hospital Kharadi

Pune: Doctors at Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune have successfully performed a living donor kidney transplant on a 9-year-old girl suffering from end-stage kidney disease. The child received a kidney from her 69-year-old grandmother in this rare and successful case, demonstrating that age and familial relations can be considered when performing paediatric transplants.

A 9-year-old girl, previously healthy and active, was admitted with low-grade fever, weakness, and cough. Tests by the paediatrician revealed a severely low haemoglobin level of 3 g/dl.

Further evaluation showed significantly reduced kidney function, and scans revealed that both kidneys were small and shrunken, confirming chronic kidney disease that had gone unnoticed due to the absence of urinary symptoms.

The diagnosis was difficult for the family to accept, as their young child required urgent treatment for kidney failure. The emotional challenge was immense, but the girl stayed strong, and her 69-year-old grandmother stepped forward to donate her kidney—an act of deep love and commitment.

Dr Manishkumar Mali, Consultant – Nephrology and Kidney Transplant, Manipal Hospital Kharadi, explained that the wide age difference between donor and recipient made the situation complex.

The child had irreversible renal failure, and a kidney transplant was the only way to save her life and support long-term health. The grandmother underwent detailed compatibility tests and a full medical evaluation. Despite her age, she was found fit to donate.

The transplant was performed under general anaesthesia after thorough preparation. Both donor and child received close monitoring and specialised post-transplant care.

Dr Anand Dharaskar, Consultant – Urology, highlighted that kidney transplantation in children demands high precision due to small veins, low body weight, and limited space in the abdomen. Since an adult kidney is around 11 cm, careful surgical adjustments and fine vascular suturing were required.

The procedure was planned with attention to every detail. Laparoscopic kidney retrieval helped reduce discomfort and allowed the elderly donor to recover quickly.

The grandmother shared that watching her granddaughter grow weaker was heartbreaking, and donating her kidney was an easy decision. She expressed gratitude to the medical team for their guidance and support.

Mr Parameswar Das, Hospital Director, stated that both donor and child were monitored intensively after surgery. The donor was discharged on the third day, and the child was discharged on the eighth day with improved kidney function. The team also ensured psychological support for the young girl, who remained in isolation after surgery, to help her stay emotionally secure.

The procedure was carried out by a multidisciplinary team: Dr Manishkumar Mali (Nephrology), Dr Anand Dharaskar (Urology), Dr Ankit Sharma (Urology), and Dr Sunil Borde (Anaesthesiology), ensuring a safe surgery and smooth recovery for both donor and recipient.