Improved waitlist and transplant outcomes for pediatric lung transplantation after implementation of the lung allocation score

Background Although the lung allocation score (LAS) has not been considered valid for lung allocation to children, several additional policy changes for pediatric lung allocation have been adopted since its implementation. We compared changes in waitlist and transplant outcomes for pediatric and adult lung transplant candidates since LAS implementation. Methods The UNOS database was reviewed for all lung transplant listings from 1995 to June, 2014. Outcomes were analyzed based on date of listing (pre-LAS vs. post-LAS) and candidate age at listing (adults >18 yr, adolescents 12-17 yr, children 0-11 yr). Results Of 39,962 total listings, 2,096 (5%) were for pediatric candidates. Median waiting time decreased after LAS implementation for all age groups (adults 379 vs. 83 days, adolescents 414 vs. 104 days, children 211 vs. 109 days, p