Steroid Withdrawal in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of withdrawing steroids on graft rejection and kidney functions in kidney transplant recipients between the ages of 0 and 20 years (prior to their 21st birthday). Graft survival has improved in recent years in children with kidney transplants. One bad side effect of steroid maintenance therapy has been growth retardation. Doctors believe steroids might be safely withdrawn in patients that are receiving other maintenance therapies. If steroids are removed, children might catch up in their growth and also might have fewer side effects of other kinds. This study evaluates whether steroid therapy can be withdrawn in a way that does not increase graft rejection.