In a landmark achievement that underscores its leading role in pediatric transplant medicine, Texas Children’s Hospital has once again secured the top national position for performing the highest number of pediatric organ transplants. According to data released by the Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network (OPTN), the premier registry for organ matching across the United States, Texas Children’s Transplant Services team conducted an unprecedented 144 pediatric organ transplants in 2025. This milestone represents a remarkable 22 percent increase from their previous record of 118 transplants in 2021, highlighting consistent growth and clinical excellence in the program’s capability to save young lives.
The increasing volume of transplants at Texas Children’s not only signifies enhanced surgical capacity but also reflects the integration of cutting-edge medical protocols, multidisciplinary coordination, and advanced immunological management. These complex procedures require seamless collaboration among transplant surgeons, hepatologists, nephrologists, cardiologists, pulmonologists, nursing staff, and coordinators, all dedicated to delivering individualized, high-quality care. Dr. John Goss, the Medical Director of Transplant Services, attributes this success not only to the hospital’s expert team but also to the philanthropic generosity of organ donors. Each transplant procedure embodies hope and renewal for families confronting life-threatening organ failure.
Texas Children’s expertise spans across multiple organ systems, with the program being distinctly recognized as a national leader in pediatric liver and kidney transplantations by volume. In fact, the hospital performs more pediatric liver and kidney transplants than any other center nationwide. Such dominance in abdominal organ transplantation is reflective of the institution’s rigorous surgical training, innovative perioperative care, and robust post-transplant surveillance systems, which optimize patient outcomes and graft longevity.
Moreover, Texas Children’s shares the top national position for pediatric lung transplants, an area of extreme complexity given the delicate nature of pediatric lung physiology and the heightened risk of rejection. The hospital’s transplant team consistently implements state-of-the-art respiratory support strategies, including extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and advanced immunosuppressive regimens, to enhance survival rates and functional recovery for recipients of donor lungs.
In pediatric heart transplantation, Texas Children’s also maintains a commanding presence, ranking second in the nation by volume. Pediatric cardiac transplantation demands meticulous surgical precision and postoperative care tailored to growing children’s unique anatomical and immunologic challenges. The program’s success in this field is a testament to its integration of novel cardiopulmonary bypass techniques and vigilant graft function monitoring protocols.
One notable testament to Texas Children’s outstanding patient outcomes is exemplified by the story of Baylor, a 5-month-old infant who underwent a life-saving liver transplant in October 2025. Diagnosed at birth with severe liver disease leading to acute liver failure, Baylor was transported to Texas Children’s at just two weeks old. His case highlights the hospital’s capacity to manage critical neonatal and infant patients through specialized pediatric critical care modalities and innovative transplant surgery techniques. Baylor’s mother, Beatriz Jauregui, praised the medical team not only for their expertise but also for the compassionate support provided to families during these trying times.
The hospital’s commitment to excellence is further demonstrated by its achievement of performing more than 100 pediatric abdominal transplants in a single year, setting the highest annual volume by any center in the United States since 1988. This volume milestone is not solely a measure of numbers but an indicator of sustained surgical proficiency, robust donor organ allocation processes, and meticulous immunosuppressive therapy optimization. Such procedural volumes enable the program to maintain a high level of specialization, continuously refine best practices, and innovate new therapeutic avenues tailored to pediatric transplant recipients.
Underpinning these achievements is Texas Children’s unwavering focus on post-transplant survival and quality of life. The institution employs comprehensive post-transplant monitoring, including sensitive biomarkers, advanced imaging techniques, and personalized immunosuppressive protocols designed to mitigate rejection risks and adverse effects. This dedication ensures long-term success, which is particularly crucial given the lifelong care requirements of pediatric transplant patients and the intricate challenges of managing immunosuppression in developing immune systems.
Dr. Larry Hollier, Surgeon-In-Chief and Chair of Surgery, articulated pride in the program’s historic accomplishments, emphasizing that these clinical milestones transcend numerical records. Each transplant represents a renewed chance at life, symbolizing hope and transformative impact for young patients and their families. The hospital’s achievements also reinforce its mission to advance transplant science and maintain its status as the preferred destination for families confronting complex pediatric medical conditions.
Texas Children’s comprehensive transplant program is supported by a continuum of care that encompasses pre-transplant evaluation, surgical intervention, and extensive long-term follow-up. The integration of research advancements, including innovative immunomodulatory agents and organ preservation technologies, fuels ongoing improvements in graft survival and patient outcomes, setting new horizons for pediatric transplantation medicine.
As a nonprofit healthcare organization, Texas Children’s commitment to innovation and education extends beyond clinical services to global health initiatives and community outreach. Its expansive infrastructure, including multiple campuses and affiliated healthcare entities, supports a diverse patient population and fosters multidisciplinary collaboration critical to sustaining its leadership in pediatric transplant care.
Looking ahead, Texas Children’s aims to leverage its clinical, research, and educational strengths to further enhance transplant success rates and expand organ availability through public awareness and donor recruitment campaigns. These efforts are vital in addressing the persistent shortage of donor organs and ensuring equitable access for children nationwide.
The extraordinary accomplishments of Texas Children’s Transplant Services team in 2025 mark a historic chapter in pediatric medicine. By combining advanced surgical expertise, cutting-edge clinical protocols, compassionate patient care, and robust research efforts, the hospital continues to set new standards in organ transplantation, ultimately transforming the lives of countless children and their families.
Subject of Research: Pediatric Organ Transplantation and Advanced Clinical Outcomes
Article Title: Texas Children’s Hospital Sets National Record with 144 Pediatric Organ Transplants in 2025
News Publication Date: February 5, 2026
Web References:
- Texas Children’s Official Website: www.texaschildrens.org
- Organ Procurement & Transplantation Network: optn.transplant.hrsa.gov
Keywords: Pediatric transplantation, organ transplantation, liver transplant, kidney transplant, lung transplant, heart transplant, pediatric surgery, transplant survival, immunosuppression, post-transplant care, organ donation, pediatric medicine
