A single center clinical experience in intensive care management of 104 pediatric renal transplantations between 1998 and 2002

Pediatric Kidney Transplantation in an Under-resourced Country: A Single-Center Experience

OBJECTIVES

Kidney transplant is the optimal method for managing children with end-stage kidney disease. This study aimed to present the experience and results of the pediatric kidney transplant program at our center.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A single-center observational study was conducted at Children's University Hospital in Damascus, Syria. We reviewed the medical records of all kidney transplants performed between April 2018 and December 2022. All patients were under 14 years old when they underwent kidney transplant. All donors were living, as an effective deceased donor program is currently not an option in Syria.

RESULTS

From April 2018 to December 2022, 33 pediatric kidney transplants were performed at our center. Most recipients were boys (n = 24; 72.7%), and 9 were girls (27.3%). Median age was 10 years (range, 4.5-14 y). The most frequent underlying diseases for kidney failure were renal dysplasia-hypoplasia (42.5%), reflux nephropathy (18.2%), and neurogenic bladder with posterior urethral valves (12%). In 10 patients, kidney transplant was performed preemptively (30.3%). Initial graft function was observed in all grafts (100%). During observation time (5 years), 28 patients (85%) retained adequate graft function. The 1-year graft and patient survival rates were 91%.

CONCLUSIONS

Syria is still suffering from the consequences of the war, affecting organ transplantation in many ways. The good 1-year graft and patient survival in our center was encouraging. However, we admit that the number of patients was small and the follow-up duration was also not long enough; future research is needed to improve long-term outcomes.

Evaluation of pediatric renal transplant recipients admitted to the intensive care unit: A retrospective cohort study

Background/Aim: The best course of treatment for children with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) is renal transplantation (RT), but some pediatric RT recipients are admitted to an intensive care unit (ICU) post-transplant. In the early and late post-operative phases, clinical data about pediatric RT recipients who are admitted to ICU are available. In this study, we aimed to evaluate demographic features, main reasons, and outcomes of pediatric RT patients admitted to the ICU during the early and late post-operative phases. Methods: This study was a cohort study. We analyzed the medical records of pediatric RT recipients (<18 years of age) who were admitted to the ICU between May 30, 2011, and October 16, 2021, at our center, retrospectively. Patients ≥18 years of age and those without available data were excluded. We obtained the following data from ICU follow-up records and hospital medical records. The median (minimum-maximum) for continuous variables, frequencies, and percentages for categorical variables were used. The Chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. We created graphs using percentages and frequencies to summarize the results. Results: Nineteen (16.5%) of the 115 pediatric patients who underwent RT were admitted to the ICU during the study period. Thirteen patients (68.4%) were male, and the mean age was 10.2 (4.9) years. Hypertension (21.2%) was the most common comorbidity. Eighteen (94.7%) received transplants from living donors. Cystic-hereditary-congenital disorders (42.1%, n=8) and congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (26.3%, n=5) were among the etiologies of ESKD. Ten patients (52.6%) were admitted to the ICU >6 months after transplantation. Epileptic seizure (n=6, 31.6%), respiratory failure (n=4, 21.1%), and cardiac diseases (n=2, 10.5%) were among the main reasons for ICU admission. During ICU follow-up, invasive mechanical ventilation was needed for five patients (26.3%), and renal replacement treatment was needed for four patients (21.1%). The mean length of ICU was 12.4 (28.5), and the mean hospital stay was 25.8 (29.4) days. The ICU and hospital survival rates were 78.9% and 97%, respectively, while 3.5% was the hospital mortality rate. Hemorrhagic cerebrovascular disease, acute hepatic failure, and cardiogenic shock secondary to pericardiocentesis were the causes of death in the ICU. Conclusion: Patients mostly had ICU admissions because of epileptic seizures and acute respiratory failure. A multidisciplinary approach involving pediatric nephrologists, transplant surgeons, and an intensive care team successfully manages pediatric RT recipients admitted to the intensive care unit.

Perioperative fluid management and associated complications in children receiving kidney transplants in the UK

BACKGROUND

Intravenous fluid administration is an essential part of perioperative care for children receiving a kidney transplant. There is a paucity of evidence to guide optimal perioperative fluid management. This study aimed to identify the volume of perioperative fluids administered across 5 UK paediatric kidney transplant centres and explore associations between fluid volume administered, graft function, and fluid-related adverse events.

METHODS

Data were collected from five UK paediatric kidney transplant centres on perioperative fluid volumes administered, and incidence of pulmonary oedema, systemic hypertension, and requirement for intensive care support. Children < 18 years of age who received a kidney-only transplant between 1^st January 2020 and 31^st December 2021 were included.

RESULTS

Complete data from 102 children were analysed. The median total volume of fluid administered in 72 h was 377 ml/kg (IQR 149 ml/kg) with a high degree of variability. A negative relationship between total fluid volume administered and day 7 eGFR was noted (p < 0.001). Association between urine volume post-transplant and day 7 eGFR was also negative (p < 0.001). Adverse events were frequent but no significant difference was found in the fluid volume administered to those who developed an adverse event, vs those who did not.

CONCLUSIONS

This study describes a high degree of variability in perioperative fluid volumes administered to children receiving kidney transplants. Both fluid volume and urine output were negatively associated with short-term graft function. These data contrast traditional interpretation of high urine output as a marker of graft health, and highlight the need for prospective clinical trials to optimise perioperative fluid administration for this group. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Thromboprophylaxis after kidney transplantation in children: Ten-year experience of a single Brazilian center

BACKGROUND

Kidney transplantation is the gold standard treatment for children with end-stage chronic kidney disease. Graft thrombosis is an important cause of graft failure, with high morbidity, mortality, and impact on quality of life and to the health system. The role of thromboprophylaxis in this setting is still uncertain. We describe the demographic characteristics and thrombotic risk factors in pediatric renal transplant recipients, determining the rate of renal graft thrombosis, and discuss the role of thromboprophylaxis.

METHODS

This retrospective study reviewed 96 pediatric renal transplantations between 2008 and 2017 in a single hospital. Patients were assigned to one of two groups: children who did not receive thromboprophylaxis after transplantation and those who did. We reported their characteristics, comparing the incidence of graft thrombosis and hemorrhagic complications between the groups.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients (51%) received thromboprophylaxis. Thrombosis occurred in 5 patients who did not receive thromboprophylaxis (5.2%) compared with none in the group that did (p = .025). In all patients, renal graft thrombosis resulted in early graft loss. Thirteen patients had hemorrhagic complications. Seven were unrelated to pharmacological thromboprophylaxis (2 major, 1 moderate, and 4 minor bleeding, which either did not receive thromboprophylaxis or had bleeding prior to thromboprophylaxis), while six occurred during heparinization (2 major, 1 moderate, and 3 minor bleeding). There was no significant difference in the rate of hemorrhagic complications between the groups (p = .105).

CONCLUSIONS

The rate of renal graft thrombosis was 5.2%. Thrombosis remains an important cause of early graft loss. Thromboprophylaxis was associated with a reduction in graft thrombosis without increased risk of bleeding.

Fluid overload and renal function in children after living-donor renal transplantation: a single-center retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND

We aimed to compare renal function after kidney transplantation in children who were treated with higher vs. lower fluid volumes.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 81 living-donor renal transplantation pediatric patients was performed between the years 2007 and 2018. We analyzed associations of the decrease in serum creatinine (delta creatinine) with fluid balance, central venous pressure (CVP), pulmonary congestion, mean arterial pressure (MAP), and MAP-CVP percentiles in the first 3 postoperative days. After correcting creatinine for fluid overload, we also assessed associations of these variables with the above parameters. Finally, we evaluated the association between delta creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 3 months follow-up.

RESULTS

Both delta creatinine and delta-corrected creatinine were found to be associated with pulmonary congestion on the second and third postoperative days (p < 0.02). In addition, trends for positive correlations were found of delta creatinine with fluid balance/kg (p = 0.07), and of delta-corrected creatinine with fluid balance/kg and CVP (p = 0.06-0.07) on the second postoperative day. An association was also demonstrated between the accumulated fluid balance of the first 2 days and eGFR at 3 months after transplantation (p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS

An association was demonstrated between indices of fluid overload, >80 ml/kg, and greater improvement in renal function.

IMPACT

There is no consensus regarding the optimal fluid treatment after pediatric renal transplantation. In our cohort, indices of fluid overload were associated with better renal function immediately after the transplantation and 3 months thereafter. Fluid overload after living-donor renal transplantation in children may have short- and long-term benefits on renal function.

Practice Variation in the Immediate Postoperative Care of Pediatric Kidney Transplantation: A National Survey

INTRODUCTION

Advances in organ allocation, surgical technique, immunosuppression, and long-term follow-up have led to a significant improvement in kidney transplant outcomes. Although there are clear recommendations for several aspects of kidney transplant management, there are no pediatric-specific guidelines for immediate postoperative care. The aim of this survey is to examine practice variations in the immediate postoperative care of pediatric kidney transplant patients.

METHODS

We surveyed medical directors of Pediatric Acute Lung Injury and Sepsis Investigators (PALISI)-affiliated pediatric intensive care units regarding center-specific immediate postoperative management of pediatric kidney transplantation.

RESULTS

The majority of PALISI centers admit patients to the pediatric intensive care unit postoperatively, and 97% of the centers involve a pediatric nephrologist in immediate postoperative care. Most patients undergo invasive hemodynamic monitoring; 97% of centers monitor invasive arterial blood pressure and 88% monitor central venous pressure. Most centers monitor serum electrolytes every 4 to 6 hours. Wide variation exists regarding blood pressure goal, fluid replacement type, frequency of obtaining kidney ultrasound, and use of prophylactic anticoagulation.

CONCLUSION

There is consistent practice across PALISI centers in regards to many aspects of immediate postoperative management of pediatric kidney transplantation. However, variation still exists in some management aspects that warrant further discussions to reach a national consensus.

Pediatric transplantation: preventing thrombosis

Due to progressive advances in surgical techniques, immunosuppressive therapies, and supportive care, outcomes from both solid organ transplantation and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation continue to improve. Thrombosis remains a challenging management issue in this context, with implications for both graft survival and long-term quality of life. Unfortunately, there remains a general paucity of pediatric-specific data regarding thrombosis incidence, risk stratification, and the safety or efficacy of preventative strategies with which to guide treatment algorithms. This review summarizes the available evidence and rationale underlying the spectrum of current practices aimed at preventing thrombosis in the transplant recipient, with a particular focus on risk factors, pathophysiology, and described antithrombotic regimens.

Surgical complications and graft function following live-donor extraperitoneal renal transplantation in children 20 kg or less

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the effect of patient, surgical, and medical factors on surgical complications and graft function following renal transplantation (Tx) in children weighing ≤ 20 kg, because the number of this challenging group of children is increasing.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between June 2009 and October 2013, 26 patients received living donor renal allotransplant using the extraperitoneal approach (EPA). The immunosuppression regimen was composed of prednisolone, mycophenolate mofetil, and ciclosporin or tacrolimus.

RESULTS

The mean weight was 16.46 ± 2.61 kg. Mean cold ischemia time was 53.85 ± 12.35 min. The graft survival rate (GSR) and patient survival rate (PSR) were 96% at 3 years. Acute rejection episodes (AREs) occurred in eight patients (30%). Postoperative surgical complications were ureteral leakage (3), vesicoureteric reflux (2), and renal vein thrombosis (2) (with one graft nephrectomy). Mean follow-up was 37.5 ± 7.4 months.

CONCLUSION

Excellent PSR and GSR can be achieved in low weight (<20 kg) recipients. Even in very low weight patients, the EPA was used. No cases were reported with primary graft non-function due to use of living donors, increasing pre-Tx body weight to at least 10 kg and maintaining adequate filling pressure before graft reperfusion. The presence of related donors and use of induction therapy and tacrolimus decreased the rate of ARE while the presence of pre-Tx lower urinary tract surgical interventions increased the rate of ureteric complications, but this was statistically insignificant.

Current management issues of immediate postoperative care in pediatric kidney transplantation

The number of pediatric kidney transplants has been increasing in many centers worldwide, as the procedure provides long-lasting and favorable outcomes; however, few papers have addressed the immediate postoperative care of this unique population. Herein, we describe the management of these patients in the early postoperative phase. After the surgical procedure, children should ideally be managed in a pediatric intensive care unit, and special attention should be given to fluid balance, electrolyte disturbances and blood pressure control. Antibiotic and antiviral prophylaxes are usually performed and are based on the recipient and donor characteristics. Thrombotic prophylaxis is recommended for children at high risk for thrombosis, although consensus on the optimum therapy is lacking. Image exams are essential for good graft control, and Doppler ultrasound must be routinely performed on the first operative day and promptly repeated if there is any suspicion of kidney dysfunction. Abdominal drains can be helpful for surveillance in patients with increased risk of surgical complications, such as urinary fistula or bleeding, but are not routinely required. The immunosuppressive regimen starts before or at the time of kidney transplantation and is usually based on induction with monoclonal or polyclonal antibodies, depending on the immunological risk, and maintenance with a calcineurin inhibitor (tacrolimus or ciclosporin), an anti-proliferative agent (mycophenolate or azathioprine) and steroids.

Retrospective analysis of renal transplantation outcomes in children admitted to a paediatric intensive care unit in Brazil

Renal transplantation has been described as the main treatment for children with end-stage renal disease. Traditionally, infants and small children represented a high-risk group with poor allograft survival. However, studies conducted mainly in developed countries have been demonstrated improvements in allograft survival rates. The aim of this study was to identify demographic characteristics of recipients and kidney donors and to analyse the outcomes of children who received postoperative care following renal transplantation in one Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). This retrospective study was carried out in a university hospital in Brazil. The data were collected through reviewing the follow up of medical records of recipients and kidney donors between 1988 and 2002. Chi-square or Fisher exact tests were used to analyse differences in outcome between living and donor transplants, whereas Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare differences in outcome by age groups and by the number of complications affecting recipients. A total of 44 children were admitted for renal transplantation. Within this group, the median age was 10.1(+/-3.2) years, 63.6% were men and 38% were non-Caucasians. In contrast, the donor group had a median age of 17.5(+/-12.5) years, of which 51.3% were male, 56.8% were Caucasian and 70.5% were cadaver donors. The average length of PICU stay was 31.4 h, with complications being identified in the majority of the transplanted children. The occurrence of four or more complications was significantly associated with acute rejection (p= 0.009). In conclusion, the main outcomes of this study were similar to those observed in developed countries, in terms of acute rejections (52.3%), dialysis resumption (31.8%), graft loss (29.5%), chronic rejections (9.1%) and death (4.5%). Complications during PICU stay were significantly linked to the occurrence of acute rejection.

Outcome after kidney transplantation in children with thrombotic risk factors

BACKGROUND

According to the data from the North American Pediatric Renal Transplant Cooperative Study (NAPRTCS), vascular thrombosis accounts for 11.6% of graft losses in pediatric renal transplantation. In adults, inherited and acquired thrombophilic risk factors, e.g. factor V Leiden mutation, have been associated with early graft loss and increased rejection episodes. Data on the impact of these factors on the outcome of children after renal transplantation are rare.

METHODS/PATIENTS

Sixty-six pediatric patients awaiting renal transplantation (mean age 10.1 yr) were screened for inherited and acquired risk factors for hypercoagulable disorders (protein C, S, and antithrombin III deficiency, antiphospholipid antibodies, factor V Leiden, prothrombin, and MTHFR mutation) in order to intensify anticoagulation in those with an increased risk for thrombophilia: intravenous heparin was administered with a partial prothrombin time (PTT) prolongation of 50 s for 14 days and switched to low-molecular-weight heparin for another 8 wk before aspirin was introduced for the first year. Patients without hypercoagulable risk factors were treated with heparin without PTT prolongation for 14 days and switched to aspirin immediately afterwards. The results on graft survival, incidence of acute rejection episodes, and long-term renal graft function were analyzed between recipients with and without hypercoagulable risk factors.

RESULTS

Thrombophilic risk factors were identified in 27.3% of our patients. No thrombosis occurred. One serious bleeding complication led to a second surgical intervention. The rate of acute rejection episodes was not increased in patients with and without thrombotic risk factors after 90 days (16.7 vs. 25%), 1 yr (22.2 vs. 33.3%), and 3 yr (38.9 vs. 41.7%) of follow-up, respectively (p = n.s.). After a mean follow-up of 3 yr the kidney function was comparable in both groups, with 63.1 in recipients with and 69.8 mL/min/1.73 m(2) in recipients without hypercoagulable risk (p = n.s.). At latest follow-up, three graft losses were found not to be attributed to thrombotic risk factors.

INTERPRETATION

Children with thrombophilic risk factors were identified and treated with an intensified anticoagulation regimen after renal transplantation. An increased risk for graft failure, acute rejection episodes, or impaired renal function for pediatric renal transplant recipients with hypercoagulable status was not found.

Paediatric kidney transplantation in small children-- a single centre experience

Kidney transplantation (KTx) remains a challenging procedure in small children. This study presents our centre results. From 1983 to 2004, 40 of 442 paediatric KTx were performed in children with a body weight <11 kg. Median body weight was 9.2 kg (range: 7.2-10.9), median age was 2.7 years (range: 0.9-5.9). Preoperative dialysis was performed in 87.5%. In 24 cases (60%) grafts came from cadaveric (CAD) and in 16 cases (40%) from living related donors (LRD). Median donor age of CAD was 8 years (range: 1-40). The overall 1-, 5-, 10-, 15-year patient survival was 93%, 90%, 90% and 87% respectively. The overall 1-, 5-, 10-, 15-year graft survival was 90%, 80%, 66% and 56% respectively. There was no significant difference in survival of CAD or LRD grafts. Median follow-up was 13.7 years. Initial graft function rate was 100% for LRD and 79% for CAD. The relative glomerular filtration rate (GFR) showed no statistical difference between CAD and LRD. Main reasons for graft loss were chronic transplant nephropathy. Paediatric KTx is the treatment of choice even in very small children. Living donor KTx is the preferable donor source in terms of primary graft function and timing to transplantation.

Pediatric renal transplantation: comparative study with renal transplantation in the adult population

PURPOSE

To retrospectively review our experience with pediatric renal transplantation and to compare the results with the adult population.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Between January 1981 and August 2003, 74 renal transplants were performed in patients < or =18 years at the time of the transplant--the pediatric group versus 1153 patients in the adult group. We analyzed various risk factors for actuarial kidney graft and patient survivals using the Kaplan-Meier method.

RESULTS

Median ages were 13.8 +/- 3.5 and 42.6 +/- 2.4 years, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference in the human leukocyte antigen matching or immunosuppression. There was, however, a younger donor age and shorter ischemia time in the pediatric group. Overall, kidney transplant survival rates for patients < or =18 years at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years were 94.4%, 91.3%, 70.6%, and 58.2%, respectively, with no significant difference for patients older than 18 (91.2%, 89.3%, 78.8%, 60.5%, P = .4325). There was a significantly decreased graft survival in the adult group at 10 years when the donor age was over 60 years and when the ischemia time was > or =20 hours. The incidence of delayed graft function and the creatinine levels of functioning grafts did not differ between the two groups. During the follow-up, acute rejections were more frequent in the younger group. Patient survival in the pediatric group at 1, 2, 5, and 10 years was 98.6%, 98.8%, 98.6%, and 90.3%, respectively, significantly lower in the adult group (95.3%, 94.0%, 87.9%, 76.8%, P < .02).

CONCLUSIONS

Renal transplantation may be successfully performed in the pediatric patients with end-stage renal disease. Overall graft survival at 10 years did not differ significantly between the two groups. There is a higher incidence of acute rejections but longer patient survival in the pediatric population.