Does immunosuppression have side effects?
Yes. All immunosuppressants reduce the body’s ability to fight infection. Particularly in the first few months following transplantation, when medication doses are highest, the child is especially susceptible to oral yeast infection (thrush), herpes and respiratory viruses. Steroids, which have been a mainstay of immunosuppression for over four decades, cause a variety of side effects, including slowed growth, abnormally high blood fat levels, high blood pressure, softened bones, slow wound healing, acne and a puffy appearance. Anti-rejection medication side effects are a particular issue with adolescent transplant recipients. Teenagers are in a difficult time of life, when appearance, group acceptance and peer pressure are highly important. Adolescents taking immunosuppressant medications perceive themselves as looking abnormal and may fail to take their medications. As a result, teenage kidney transplant recipients have the highest failure rate of all age groups.
