CHILD LUNG REPLACEMENTS

Adult lung transplants have been reserved to children and adults of age 12 or over.  In 2007, the cost of a single lung transplant was nearly $400,000, a double lung transplant was about $550,000.*  Because of the threat of law suits, judges have permitted two children of 10 and 11 with cystic fibrosis to be added to the list of adults awaiting lung transplants.  There is a 20% chance of a lung recipient dying within 1 yr, and a 50% chance of the lung recipient dying within 5 yrs.  Seventeen percent of  lung transplant patients live 10 yrs or longer.  Because there are vastly more applicants for lung replacements than the supply, it means that if one of these children get a replacement, someone else (who normally would have gotten one) will not. (http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57588287/children-added-to-adult-lung-transplant-list-amid-outcry-a-dilemma-for-doctors/; http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090501150337AAZxwrD).

Apparently there is no problem cutting an adult lung down to child size, but the cystic fibrosis gene is throughout the body and getting a lung free of the disease fixes only part of the problem.  Then there are the drugs needed to prevent rejection of the lung - immunosuppressive drugs (up to $30,000/yr) that can cause other problems [such as kidney failure].*  Then there is the cost of annual follow-up care.  Most health insurance policies do not cover lung replacements for patients with pre-existing conditions, but I am not sure what the effect of ObamaCare will be on this.

Even without lung transplants, there are cystic fibrosis patients that can live on average into their mid-30s and even have careers by taking pancreatic enzyme supplements and use of bronchodilators, anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, and mucus thinners. http://www.cff.org/aboutcf/faqs/#How_does_CF_affect_the_lungs?

Note added July 2nd:  The 10 yr old girl actually had the lung transplant surgery twice and then a diaphragm operation because her diaphragm was partially paralyzed. (http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/07/02/10-year-old-girl-who-got-new-lungs-in-pa-has-more-surgery/)

* http://www.ehow.com/about_4673807_much-does-lung-transplant-cost.html?ref=Track2&utm_source=ask  The cost of a double lung replacement coupled with a heart replacement is said to cost around $850,000.