The standard criteria donor (SCD) is a donor who is under 50 years of age and suffered brain death from any number of causes. This would include donors under the age of 50 who suffer from traumatic injuries or other medical problems such as a stroke.

Pediatric donors are considered standard criteria donors; however a very small kidney cannot support the needs of an adult. In these cases, both pediatric kidneys can be transplanted into one adult. This type of transplant is called pediatric en bloc, and is an excellent alternative that makes the use of these healthy kidneys in adults possible. These kidneys do carry a slightly higher risk of vascular complications related to the small vessels in pediatric donors.