Lung transplantation in neonates and infants: ESPNIC survey of European neonatologists and pediatric intensivists

Lung and heart & lung transplantations in neonates and infants are extreme treatments offered for some life-threatening conditions especially in some North-American centers with promising results. These transplantations are rarely performed in Europe, and we set up a continent-based survey to describe the attitude of European neonatologists and pediatric intensivists on the subject and identify the main indications for this transplantation and the obstacles for the realization of a European lung transplantation program. Conclusion: The main indications for lung transplantation program for neonates and infants are represented by congenital disorders, and physicians indicate as main obstacles the donors' availability. European neonatologists and pediatric intensivists are interested to create a European network to overcome this problem and realize a lung transplantation program for neonates and infants.

Automated summary

Lung and heart & lung transplantations for neonates and infants are rarely performed in Europe, with main indications being congenital disorders. The main obstacle identified by physicians is the availability of donors, and there is interest in establishing a European network to address this issue and realize a transplantation program for neonates and infants.