Bronx boy who challenged child lung transplant rules receives organs
Javier Acosta, the second child to challenge lung transplant rules that required children under 12 to be placed on a separate pediatric waiting list regardless of if they were more sick than those on the adult list, has recovered from an adult lung transplant, according to his family.
Javier, who was 12 at the time of the procedure, received adult lungs from a donor on Oct. 13 at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). The boy had previously been diagnosed with end-stage cystic fibrosis.
Experts also debate whether or not children should be eligible for adult lungs because as it stands, lung transplants only have a 50 percent five-year success rate in adult patients. For children, the rate hasn’t been determined because it hasn’t been a well-studied topic. People who have cystic fibrosis are also at increased risk of other chronic infections, lowering the chance the lungs will be able to work.
Sarah Murnaghan, another end-state cystic fibrosis patient, was the first to challenge the organ transplant laws earlier this year, filing a lawsuit after Health and Human Services refused to intervene and change the transplant rules. A judge sided with her and she was added to the adult list, and allowed to receive two adult double lung transplants after her first one failed. She was 10 at the time of her procedures.
Javier's family also challenged the laws in June 2013 in a Philadelphia court when the child at the time was 11 years old. Javier’s brother, who also had cystic fibrois, died while waiting for a lung transplant.
Murnaghan’s mother said she was thrilled that Javier was also able to receive a lung transplant.
“We are overjoyed for them,” she wrote on her Facebook page. “Sarah and Javier have enjoyed seeing each other a few times since his transplant. Sarah and I cried tears of joy and praised God when we heard.... I will always remember the moment. We are so excited to share the news with you all!!!! Javier is a fighter and just like Sarah it's a long road when you have been so critically I'll for so long but they will come out champions!!!”
