Post-transplant diabetes mellitus in pediatric liver transplantation

Post-Transplantation Diabetes Mellitus in Pediatric Patients

More than 80% of pediatric solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients now survive into young adulthood and many encounter transplant-related complications. Post-transplantation diabetes mellitus (PTDM), sometimes also referred to as post-transplant diabetes or new onset diabetes after transplant, occurs in 3-20% of pediatric SOT recipients depending upon the organ transplanted, age at transplantation, immunosuppressive regimen, family history, and time elapsed since transplant. To diagnose PTDM, hyperglycemia must persist beyond the initial hospitalization for transplantation when a patient is on stable doses of immunosuppressive medications. Though standard diagnostic criteria used by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to diagnose diabetes are employed, clinicians need to be aware of the limitations of using these criteria in this unique patient population. Management of PTDM parallels strategies used for type 2 diabetes (T2D), while also carefully considering comorbidities and potential interactions with immunosuppressive medications in these patients. In caring for patients with PTDM, it is important to be familiar with these interactions and comorbidities in order to coordinate care with the transplant team and optimize outcomes for these patients.

Variation in immunosuppression practices among pediatric liver transplant centers-Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation survey results

BACKGROUND

Variation in IS exists among pediatric liver transplant centers. While individual centers may publish their practice paradigms, current data on practices as a whole are lacking. This study sought to ascertain the IS protocols of pediatric liver transplant centers within the SPLIT to better understand variability and similarities among peer institutions.

METHODS

A 27-item questionnaire was developed within the SPLIT Quality Improvement and Clinical Care Committee. The survey collected data regarding center demographics, IS practices, and treatment of acute cellular rejection.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight (64%) SPLIT centers responded with 22 (79%) centers performing more than 10 transplants per year and 17 (61%) following more than 100 post-transplant recipients. All centers use a written protocol, and 25 (89%) have a dedicated transplant pharmacist/PharmD. Twenty-five (89%) centers use steroids for induction alone or in combination with thymoglobulin/interleukin-2 antibodies. All centers use tacrolimus for initial maintenance therapy. Most centers have specialized protocols for ABO-incompatible transplants, recipients with renal dysfunction, autoimmune liver diseases, and liver tumors. Treatment of rejection varied but was associated with escalation in IS.

CONCLUSION

IS practices among pediatric liver transplant centers are similar including the use of written protocols, pharmacy involvement, steroids for induction, tacrolimus as initial IS, tacrolimus reduction/delay for renal dysfunction, and escalation of IS with rejection severity. However, other IS practices show wide variability including treatment for ABO-incompatible grafts and presumed rejection. This study serves as a foundation to guide prospective research linking IS practice to outcomes to determine best practice.

Care of Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Recipients: An Overview for Primary Care Providers

As the number of living pediatric solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients continues to grow, there is an increased likelihood that primary care providers (PCPs) will encounter pediatric SOT recipients in their practices. In addition, as end-stage organ failure is replaced with chronic medical conditions in transplant recipients, there is a need for a comprehensive approach to their management. PCPs can significantly enhance the care of immunosuppressed hosts by advising parents of safety considerations and avoiding adverse drug interactions. Together with subspecialty providers, PCPs are responsible for ensuring that appropriate vaccinations are given and can play an important role in the diagnosis of infections. Through early recognition of rejection and posttransplant complications, PCPs can minimize morbidity. Growth and development can be optimized through frequent assessments and timely referrals. Adherence to immunosuppressive regimens can be greatly improved through reinforcement at every encounter, particularly among adolescents. PCPs can also improve long-term outcomes by easing the transition of pediatric SOT recipients to adult providers. Although guidelines exist for the primary care management of adult SOT recipients, comprehensive guidance is lacking for pediatric providers. In this evidence-based overview, we outline the main issues affecting pediatric SOT recipients and provide guidance for PCPs regarding their management from the first encounter after the transplant to the main challenges that arise in childhood and adolescence. Overall, PCPs can and should use their expertise and serve as an additional layer of support in conjunction with the transplant center for families that are caring for a pediatric SOT recipient.

Incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus and association with mortality in childhood solid organ transplant recipients: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Precise estimates of the long-term risk of new-onset diabetes and its impact on mortality among transplanted children are not known.

METHODS

We conducted a cohort study comparing children undergoing solid organ (kidney, heart, liver, lung and multiple organ) transplant (n = 1020) between 1991 and 2014 with healthy non-transplanted children (n = 7 134 067) using Ontario health administrative data. Outcomes included incidence of diabetes among transplanted and non-transplanted children, the relative hazard of diabetes among solid organ transplant recipients, overall and at specific intervals posttransplant, and mortality among diabetic transplant recipients.

RESULTS

During 56 019 824 person-years of follow-up, the incidence rate of diabetes was 17.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 15-21] and 2.5 (95% CI 2.5-2.5) per 1000 person-years among transplanted and non-transplanted children, respectively. The transplant cohort had a 9-fold [hazard ratio (HR) 8.9; 95% CI 7.5-10.5] higher hazard of diabetes compared with those not transplanted. Risk was highest within the first year after transplant (HR 20.7; 95% CI 15.9-27.1), and remained elevated even at 5 and 10 years of follow-up. Lung and multiple organ recipients had a 5-fold (HR 5.4; 95% CI 3.0-9.8) higher hazard of developing diabetes compared with kidney transplant recipients. Transplant recipients with diabetes had a three times higher hazard of death compared with those who did not develop diabetes (HR 3.3; 95% CI 2.3-4.8).

CONCLUSIONS

The elevated risk of diabetes in transplant recipients persists even after a decade, highlighting the importance of ongoing surveillance. Diabetes after transplantation increases the risk of mortality among childhood transplant recipients.

Diabetes Type 2 in Neurologically Impaired Children and Adolescents Without Obesity: A New Emerging Entity?

Background: Insulin resistance (IR) plays a key role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D). In neurologically impaired (NI) children unfavorable cardio-metabolic risk profile with high prevalence of IR has been reported. We evaluated the prevalence of T2D in NI children and adolescents, in order to define if a dedicated glucose monitoring may be recommended in these subjects.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 63 patients (11.4 ± 4.0 years) with severe disabilities. Auxological parameters were recorded. Metabolic blood assays included fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin, triglycerides (TG). IR was detected with the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR > 97.5th percentile for age and sex) and triglyceride-glucose index (TyG index > 7.88). Elevated FBG was defined with values >100 mg/dl. T2D was defined according to American Diabetes Association criteria.

Results: Impaired insulin sensitivity, pathological TyG index and elevated FBG were observed, respectively, in 41.3, 63.5, and 11.1% patients. T2D was diagnosed in 3.2% asymptomatic patients. The prevalence of diabetes was higher in pre-pubertal compared to pubertal subjects (p = 0.03).

Conclusions: T2D in NI children and adolescents without obesity could represent a new emerging entity. IR and/or surrogate markers of IR index may be useful for the primary screening of this at-risk disabled population so as to prevent diabetes.

A Multidisciplinary Approach to Pretransplant and Posttransplant Management of Cystic Fibrosis-Associated Liver Disease

Approximately 5%-10% of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) will develop advanced liver disease with portal hypertension, representing the third leading cause of death among patients with CF. Cystic fibrosis with advanced liver disease and portal hypertension (CFLD) represents the most significant risk to patient mortality, second only to pulmonary or lung transplant complications in patients with CF. Currently, there is no medical therapy to treat or reverse CFLD. Liver transplantation (LT) in patients with CFLD with portal hypertension confers a significant survival advantage over those who do not receive LT, although the timing in which to optimize this benefit is unclear. Despite the value and efficacy of LT in selected patients with CFLD, established clinical criteria outlining indications and timing for LT as well as disease-specific transplant considerations are notably absent. The goal of this comprehensive and multidisciplinary report is to present recommendations on the unique CF-specific pre- and post-LT management issues clinicians should consider and will face.

Evidence of Chronic Allograft Injury in Liver Biopsies From Long-term Pediatric Recipients of Liver Transplants

BACKGROUND & AIMS

A substantial proportion of pediatric liver transplant recipients develop subclinical chronic allograft injury. We studied whether there are distinct patterns of injury based on histopathologic features and identified associated immunologic profiles.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 157 stable, long-term pediatric recipients of transplanted livers (70 boys; > 6 years old at time of transplantation; mean, 8.9 ± 3.46 years after liver transplantation) who underwent liver biopsy analysis from August 13, 2012, through May 1, 2014. Participants had received livers from a living or deceased donor and had consistently normal results from liver tests. Liver biopsy specimens were scored by a central pathologist; an unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis of histologic features was used to sort biopsy samples into 3 clusters. We conducted transcriptional and cytometric analyses of liver tissue samples and performed a systems biology analysis that incorporated clinical, serologic, histologic, and transcriptional data.

RESULTS

The mean level of alanine aminotransferase in participants was 27.6 ± 14.57 U/L, and the mean level of γ-glutamyl transferase was 17.4 ± 7.93 U/L. Cluster 1 was characterized by interface activity (n = 34), cluster 2 was characterized by periportal or perivenular fibrosis without interface activity (n = 45), and cluster 3 had neither feature (n = 78). We identified a module of genes whose expression correlated with levels of alanine aminotransferase, class II donor-specific antibody, portal inflammation, interface activity, perivenular inflammation, portal and perivenular fibrosis, and cluster assignment. The module was enriched in genes that regulate T-cell-mediated rejection (TCMR) of liver and other transplanted organs. Functional pathway analysis showed overrepresentation of TCMR gene sets for cluster 1 but not clusters 2 or 3.

CONCLUSION

In an analysis of biopsies from an apparently homogeneous group of stable, long-term pediatric liver transplant recipients with consistently normal liver test results, we found evidence of chronic graft injury (inflammation and/or fibrosis). Biopsy samples with interface activity had a gene expression pattern associated with TCMR.

Incidence of hyperglycemia and diabetes and association with electrolyte abnormalities in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients

Background

Posttransplant hyperglycemia is an important predictor of new-onset diabetes after transplantation, and both are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Precise estimates of posttransplant hyperglycemia and diabetes in children are unknown. Low magnesium and potassium levels may also lead to diabetes after transplantation, with limited evidence in children.

Methods

We conducted a cohort study of 451 pediatric solid organ transplant recipients to determine the incidence of hyperglycemia and diabetes, and the association of cations with both endpoints. Hyperglycemia was defined as random blood glucose levels ≥11.1 mmol/L on two occasions after 14 days of transplant not requiring further treatment. Diabetes was defined using the American Diabetes Association Criteria. For magnesium and potassium, time-fixed, time-varying and rolling average Cox proportional hazards models were fitted to evaluate the association with hyperglycemia and diabetes.

Results

Among 451 children, 67 (14.8%) developed hyperglycemia and 27 (6%) progressed to diabetes at a median of 52 days (interquartile range 22-422) from transplant. Multi-organ recipients had a 9-fold [hazard ratio (HR) 8.9; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.2-25.2] and lung recipients had a 4.5-fold (HR 4.5; 95% CI 1.8-11.1) higher risk for hyperglycemia and diabetes, respectively, compared with kidney transplant recipients. Both magnesium and potassium had modest or no association with the development of hyperglycemia and diabetes.

Conclusions

Hyperglycemia and diabetes occur in 15 and 6% children, respectively, and develop early posttransplant with lung or multi-organ transplant recipients at the highest risk. Hypomagnesemia and hypokalemia do not confer significantly greater risk for hyperglycemia or diabetes in children.

Tolerance after liver transplantation: Where are we?

Impeccable management of immunosuppression is required to ensure the best longterm outcomes for liver transplant recipients. This is particularly challenging for children who arguably need 8 decades of graft and patient survival. Too little risks chronic, often subclinical allo-immune injury while too much risks insidious and cumulative toxicities. Historically, immunosuppression minimization or withdrawal has been a strategy to optimize the longevity of liver transplant recipients. The literature is sprinkled with single-center reports of operationally tolerant patients - those with apparently normal liver function and liver tests. However, without biopsy evidence of immunological quiescence, confidence in the phenotypic assignment of tolerance is shaky. More recently, multicenter trials of immunosuppression withdrawal for highly selected, stable, longterm adult and pediatric liver recipients have shown tolerance rates, based on both biochemical and histological assessment, of 40% and 60%, respectively. Extended biochemical and histologic follow-up of children over 8 years, equivalent to 7+ years off of drug, suggests that operational tolerance is robust. Therefore, clearly, immunosuppression can be completely and safety withdrawn from highly-selected subsets of adults and children. However, these trials have also confirmed that clinically ideal recipients - those eligible for immunosuppression withdrawal trial - can harbor significant and worrisome inflammation and/or fibrosis. Although the etiology and prognosis of these findings remain unknown, it is reasonable to surmise that they may reflect an anti-donor immune response that is insufficiently controlled. To achieve the outcomes that we are seeking and that our patients are demanding, we desperately need noninvasive but accurate biomarkers that identify whether immunosuppression is neither too much nor too little but "just right." Until these are available, liver histology remains the gold standard to assess allograft health and guide immunosuppression management. Liver Transplantation 23 1601-1614 2017 AASLD.

New-onset diabetes mellitus after pediatric liver transplantation

In the first five yr after liver transplant, approximately one in 10 pediatric recipients will develop NODAT. Factors associated with higher risk for NODAT have been difficult to identify due to lack of uniformity in reporting and data collection. Limited studies have reported higher risk in those who are at an older age at transplant, those with high-risk ethnic backgrounds, and in those with particular underlying conditions, such as CF and primary sclerosing cholangitis. Immunosuppressive medications, including tacrolimus, cyclosporine A, GC, and sirolimus, have been implicated as contributing to NODAT, to varying degrees. Identifying those at highest risk, appropriately screening, and diagnosing NODAT is critical to initiating timely treatment and avoiding potential complications. In the pediatric population, treatment is limited primarily to insulin, with some consideration for metformin. Children with NODAT should be monitored carefully for complications of DM, including microalbuminuria, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and retinopathy.

Nutrition management after pediatric solid organ transplantation

Survival rates for pediatric transplant recipients and organ grafts have increased due to improvements in surgical techniques and with immunosuppressant treatment therapies. Interdisciplinary management after pediatric organ transplantation is essential to assist not only with the complex medical issues and complications that can result from immunosuppressant therapy but also with the achievement of normal growth and development. Impaired growth is a complication frequently experienced by pediatric transplant patients. The presence or absence of impaired growth is affected by the length of illness prior to transplant, graft function, the use of corticosteroids, and the development of infectious complications after surgery. A review of posttransplant nutrition assessment, nutrition requirements, and nutrition goals is provided. In addition, a case series of experiences with nutrition management of pediatric solid organ transplant recipients is described.

Long-term outcomes of children after solid organ transplantation

Solid organ transplantation has transformed the lives of many children and adults by providing treatment for patients with organ failure who would have otherwise succumbed to their disease. The first successful transplant in 1954 was a kidney transplant between identical twins, which circumvented the problem of rejection from MHC incompatibility. Further progress in solid organ transplantation was enabled by the discovery of immunosuppressive agents such as corticosteroids and azathioprine in the 1950s and ciclosporin in 1970. Today, solid organ transplantation is a conventional treatment with improved patient and allograft survival rates. However, the challenge that lies ahead is to extend allograft survival time while simultaneously reducing the side effects of immunosuppression. This is particularly important for children who have irreversible organ failure and may require multiple transplants. Pediatric transplant teams also need to improve patient quality of life at a time of physical, emotional and psychosocial development. This review will elaborate on the long-term outcomes of children after kidney, liver, heart, lung and intestinal transplantation. As mortality rates after transplantation have declined, there has emerged an increased focus on reducing longer-term morbidity with improved outcomes in optimizing cardiovascular risk, renal impairment, growth and quality of life. Data were obtained from a review of the literature and particularly from national registries and databases such as the North American Pediatric Renal Trials and Collaborative Studies for the kidney, SPLIT for liver, International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation and UNOS for intestinal transplantation.

Pediatric liver transplantation: where do we stand? Where we are going to?

Pediatric liver transplantation (LT) is one of the most successful solid organ transplants with long-term survival more than 80%. Many aspects have contributed to improve survival, especially advancements in pre-, peri- and post-transplant management. The development of new surgical techniques, such as split-LT and the introduction of living related LT, has extended LT to small infants. Progress in the last 30 years has also been characterized by the introduction of calcineurin inhibitors. One problem remains the lack of donors. Donation after cardiac death offers a new possibility to increase the pool of potential donors. In children with acute liver failure, increasing interest has centered on the possibility of providing temporary liver support based on extracorporeal devices or hepatocyte transplantation. Similarly, hepatocyte transplantation offers new perspective in children with metabolic failure. As long-term survival increases, attention has now focused on the quality of life achieved by children undergoing LT.

The SPLIT research agenda 2013

This review focuses on active clinical research in pediatric liver transplantation with special emphasis on areas that could benefit from studies utilizing the SPLIT infrastructure and data repository. Ideas were solicited by members of the SPLIT Research Committee and sections were drafted by members of the committee with expertise in those given areas. This review is intended to highlight priorities for clinical research that could successfully be conducted through the SPLIT collaborative and would have significant impact in pediatric liver transplantation.

Update on cystic fibrosis-related diabetes

Diabetes mellitus has emerged as a common comorbidity in cystic fibrosis and is considered a clinical entity (cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, CFRD) distinct from that of type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). The relevance of this diagnosis extends not only from its imposition of additional medical burden but its association with worse health outcomes in individuals with CF. This paper will review the 2010 U.S. and other international guidelines for screening and treating CFRD. It will highlight newer data regarding early glucose and insulin secretion defects, mechanisms linking CFRD to worse outcomes, and recent advances in T2DM that may provide insights for CFRD; insulin secretion will be reviewed as background for these recent developments.

Characteristics of diabetes after pediatric liver transplant

Studies of DALT in pediatric recipients describe incidence and risk factors, but diagnostic criteria varied. This study reports characteristics and course of pediatric DALT by established diabetes criteria. Retrospective chart review of pediatric LT recipients evaluated for hyperglycemia (1/1/1997-12/30/2009) and matched, non-diabetic controls. DALT: random blood glucose >11.1 mm, ≥ 2 times, with insulin treatment. DALT diagnosed in 8.0% (24/300) included 7/24 (29.2%) with severe hyperglycemia (>27.7 mm), ketoacidosis in 2/24 (8.3%). At diagnosis, age was ≥ 11 yr old in 22/24 (91.7%); body mass was lean (BMIz -0.2 ± 1.5). Mean blood glucose was 24.6 mm with negative diabetes autoantibodies (19/19) and elevated C-peptide (2.3 nm). DALT onset median 5.0 months included 29.1% >12 months. Insulin duration median 4.6 months included 41.7% >6 months. DALT resolved in 83.3% over 4.9 (0.9-9.1) yr. DALT differed from controls by increased preceding rejections, prednisolone dose, tacrolimus level, and triple immunosuppression (all p < 0.01). In conclusion, pediatric DALT occurred in non-obese adolescents with insulin resistance, distinct from diabetes types 1 or 2. DALT was associated with preceding rejection and increased immunosuppression. Blood glucose monitoring, especially during increased immunosuppression following LT, could allow early diagnosis and reduce morbidity.

Posttransplant metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents after liver transplantation: a systematic review

During long-term follow-up, 18% to 67% of pediatric liver transplant recipients are overweight or obese, with rates varying by age and pretransplant weight status. A similar prevalence of posttransplant obesity has been seen in adults. Adults also develop posttransplant metabolic syndrome and, consequently, cardiovascular disease at rates that exceed the rates in age- and sex-matched populations. Posttransplant metabolic syndrome has never been studied in pediatric liver transplant recipients, and this population is growing as transplant outcomes continue to improve. Here we systematically review the literature for each component of metabolic syndrome-obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and glucose intolerance-in pediatric liver transplant recipients. Their rates of obesity are similar to the rates in children in the general U.S. population. However, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes are more common than would be expected in transplant recipients according to age, sex, and obesity severity. Immunosuppressive medications are major contributors. The limitations of previous studies, including heterogeneous methods of diagnosis, follow-up times, and immunosuppressive regimens, hinder the analysis of risk factors. Importantly, no studies have reported graft or patient outcomes associated with components of metabolic syndrome after pediatric liver transplantation. However, if the trends in children are similar to the trends seen in adults, these conditions may lead to significant long-term morbidity. Further research on the prevalence, causes, and consequences of posttransplant metabolic syndrome in pediatric liver transplant recipients is needed and will ultimately help to improve long-term outcomes.

Health status of children alive 10 years after pediatric liver transplantation performed in the US and Canada: report of the studies of pediatric liver transplantation experience

OBJECTIVES

To determine clinical and health-related quality of life outcomes, and to derive an "ideal" composite profile of children alive 10 years after pediatric liver transplantation (LT) performed in the US and Canada.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a multicenter cross-sectional analysis characterizing patients enrolled in the Studies of Pediatric Liver Transplantation database registry who have survived >10 years from LT.

RESULTS

A total of 167 10-year survivors were identified, all of whom received daily immunosuppression therapy. Comorbidities associated with the post-LT course included post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disease (in 5% of patients), renal dysfunction (9%), and impaired linear growth (23%). Health-related quality of life, as assessed by the PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core Scales, revealed lower patient self-reported total scale scores for 10-year survivors compared with matched healthy children (77.2±12.9 vs 84.9±11.7; P<.001). At 10 years post-LT, only 32% of patients achieved an ideal profile of a first allograft stable on immunosuppression monotherapy, normal growth, and absence of common immunosuppression-induced sequelae.

CONCLUSION

Success after pediatric LT has moved beyond patient survival. Availability of an ideal composite profile at follow-up provides opportunities for patients, families, and healthcare providers to identify broader sets of outcomes at earlier stages, ultimately contributing to improved outcomes after pediatric LT.

The importance of different immunosuppressive regimens in the development of posttransplant diabetes mellitus

Solid-organ transplantation is the optimal long-term treatment for most patients with end-stage organ failure. After solid-organ transplantation, short-term graft survival significantly improved (1). However, due to chronic allograft nephropathy and death with functioning graft, long-term survival has not prolonged remarkably (2). Posttransplant immunosuppressive medications consist of one of the calcineurin inhibitors in combination with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) or azathioprine (Aza) and steroids. All of them have different adverse effects, among which posttransplant diabetes mellitus (PTDM) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) events and infections causing the death of many transplant patients and it may directly contribute to graft failure (3). According to the criteria of the American Diabetes Association (4), diabetes mellitus (DM) is defined by symptoms of diabetes (polyuria and polydipsia and weight loss) plus casual plasma glucose concentration ≥ 11.1 mmol/L or fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥ 7.0 mmol/L or 2-h plasma glucose level ≥ 11.1 mmol/L following oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This metabolic disorder occurring as a complication of organ transplantation has been recognized for many years. PTDM, which is a combination of decreased insulin secretion and increased insulin resistance, develops in 4.9/15.9% of liver transplant patients, in 4.7/11.5% of kidney recipients, and in 15/17.5% of heart and lung transplants [cyclosporine A (CyA)/tacrolimus (Tac)-based regimen, respectively] (5). Risk factors of PTDM can be divided into non-modifiable and modifiable ones (6), among which the most prominent is the immunosuppressive therapy being responsible for 74% of PTDM development (7). Emphasizing the importance of the PTDM, numerous studies have determined the long-term outcome. On the basis of these studies, graft and patient survival is tendentiously (8) or significantly (9, 10) decreased for those developing PTDM.

Overweight and obesity in pediatric liver transplant recipients: prevalence and predictors before and after transplant, United Network for Organ Sharing Data, 1987-2010

Obesity is extremely common in adult liver transplant recipients and healthy U.S. children. Little is known about the prevalence or risk factors for post-transplant obesity in pediatric liver transplant recipients. UNOS data on all U.S. liver transplants 1987-2010 in children 6 months-20 yr at transplant were analyzed. Subjects were categorized as underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese by CDC guidelines. Predictors of weight status at and after transplant were identified using multivariate logistic regression. Of 3043 children 6-24 months at transplant, 14% were overweight. Of 4658 subjects 2-20 yr at transplant, 16% were overweight and 13% obese. Children overweight/obese at transplant were more likely to be overweight/obese at one, two, and five yr after transplant in all age groups after adjusting for age, ethnicity, primary diagnosis, year of transplant, and transplant type. Weight status at transplant was not associated with overweight/obesity by 10 yr after transplant. The prevalence of post-transplant obesity remained high in long-term follow-up, from 20% to 50% depending on age and weight status at transplant. Weight status at transplant is the strongest predictor of post-transplant overweight/obesity. To optimize long-term outcomes in pediatric liver transplant recipients, monitoring for obesity and its comorbidities is important.

Pediatric vulvar squamous cell carcinoma in a liver transplantation recipient: a case report

Here we report the first Korean case of a girl who developed noninvasive squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva at the age of 16 years. She was taking tacrolimus, an immunosuppressive agent, after living-related liver transplantation. The vulvar masses were microscopically proved as vulvar intraepithelial neoplasm II and III, even squamous cell carcinoma in situ. Human papillomavirus subtypes (69 and 73) and human papillomavirus types (66, 70, 73, and 43) were detected in the vulvar mass and the cervicovaginal smear, respectively. The outcome of liver transplantation for children has been markedly improved during the last several decades. However, the present case highlights the need to perform periodic genital examinations for the adolescents after liver transplantation. In addition to the high risk and probable high subtypes, uncommonly found human papillomavirus subtypes were extracted from her vulvar cancer. The present case is the first to show the possible relationship between previously unknown and uncommon human papillomavirus subtypes and pediatric post-transplant vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. More attention should be paid to the vulvar and cervical surveillance of pediatric transplant recipients by both medical specialists and general physicians.

A multivariate analysis of pre-, peri-, and post-transplant factors affecting outcome after pediatric liver transplantation

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to identify significant, independent factors that predicted 6 month patient and graft survival after pediatric liver transplantation.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

The Studies of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT) is a multicenter database established in 1995, of currently more than 4000 US and Canadian children undergoing liver transplantation. Previous published analyses from this data have examined specific factors influencing outcome. This study analyzes a comprehensive range of factors that may influence outcome from the time of listing through the peri- and postoperative period.

METHODS

A total of 42 pre-, peri- and posttransplant variables evaluated in 2982 pediatric recipients of a first liver transplant registered in SPLIT significant at the univariate level were included in multivariate models.

RESULTS

In the final model combining all baseline and posttransplant events, posttransplant complications had the highest relative risk of death or graft loss. Reoperation for any cause increased the risk for both patient and graft loss by 11 fold and reoperation exclusive of specific complications by 4 fold. Vascular thromboses, bowel perforation, septicemia, and retransplantation, each independently increased the risk of patient and graft loss by 3 to 4 fold. The only baseline factor with a similarly high relative risk for patient and graft loss was recipient in the intensive care unit (ICU) intubated at transplant. A significant center effect was also found but did not change the impact of the highly significant factors already identified.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that the most significant factors predicting patient and graft loss at 6 months in children listed for transplant are posttransplant surgical complications.

Risk factors for the development of new-onset diabetes mellitus in a living related renal transplant program

New-onset diabetes mellitus is associated with considerable morbidity after transplantation. We evaluated 78 living related renal transplant recipients due to all causes except diabetic nephropathy a waiting a living related renal transplantation. We evaluated demographic characteristics, pretransplant glycemic profile, fasting C-peptide levels, plasma insulin levels, pretransplant insulin resistance, and immunosuppression protocols. Among the 16.7% of patients developing diabetes mellitus at the end of 1 year, age, family history, and impaired glucose tolerance at the time of transplantation correlated with the development of diabetes mellitus in the posttransplant period.

Solid-organ transplantation in childhood: transitioning to adult health care

Pediatric solid-organ transplantation is an increasingly successful treatment for solid-organ failure. With dramatic improvements in patient survival rates over the last several decades, there has been a corresponding emergence of complications attributable to pretransplant factors, transplantation itself, and the management of transplantation with effective immunosuppression. The predominant solid-organ transplantation sequelae are medical and psychosocial. These sequelae have a substantial effect on transition to adult care; as such, hurdles to successful transition of care arise from the patients, their families, and pediatric and adult health care providers. Crucial to successful transitioning is the ongoing development of a sense of autonomy and responsibility for one's own care. In this article we address the barriers to transitioning that occur with long-term survival in pediatric solid-organ transplantation. Although a particular transitioning model is not promoted, practical tools and strategies that contribute to successful transitioning of pediatric patients who have received a transplant are suggested.

Outcomes in pediatric solid-organ transplantation

LaR Pediatric solid-organ transplantation is an increasingly successful treatment for organ failure. Five- and 10-yr patient survival rates have dramatically improved over the last couple of decades, and currently, over 80% of pediatric patients survive into adolescence and young adulthood. Waiting list mortality has been a concern for liver, heart, and intestinal transplantation, illustrating the importance of transplant as a life-saving therapy. Unfortunately, the success of pediatric transplantation comes at the cost of long-term or late complications that arise as a result of allograft rejection or injury, immunosuppression-related morbidity, or both. As transplant recipients enter adolescence treatment, non-adherence becomes a significant issue, and the medical and psychosocial impacts transition to adulthood not only with regard to healthcare but also in terms of functional outcomes, economic potential, and overall QoL. This review addresses the clinical and psychosocial challenges encountered by pediatric transplant recipients in the current era. A better understanding of pediatric transplant outcomes and adult morbidity and mortality requires further ongoing assessment.

Pretransplant risk factors for new-onset diabetes mellitus after transplant in pediatric liver transplant recipients

Our objectives are to examine the incidence of new-onset diabetes mellitus after transplant (NODAT) and to identify its risk factors in pediatric liver transplant recipients using the Organ Procurement and Transplant Network/United Network for Organ Sharing database. Between July 2004 and December 2008, a total of 1214 children (2-20 years old) received their first liver transplant alone, and had at least 1 follow-up report of posttransplant diabetic status. Among these, 1161 recipients were identified as not having diabetes mellitus before transplant. Risk factors for NODAT were examined using classification and regression tree and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Diabetes mellitus was newly reported in 10.1% of the 1161 recipients over the median follow-up time of 770 days. The cumulative incidences of NODAT at 1, 2, and 3 years after transplant were 5.9%, 8.3%, and 11.2%, respectively. More than 50% of recipients with cystic fibrosis developed NODAT. In recipients without cystic fibrosis, independent risk factors for NODAT included increased recipient age (compared to 2-5 years, hazard ratio = 3.09 for 5-13 years, p = 0.02; 7.14 for ≥13 years, p < 0.001), African American race (1.97, p = 0.003), and primary diagnosis of primary sclerosing cholangitis (2.24, p = 0.02) and acute hepatic necrosis (1.89, p = 0.04). In conclusion, NODAT occurred in one-tenth of pediatric liver transplant recipients in the United States during the median follow-up of 2 years. Some of the risk factors for NODAT in pediatric liver transplant recipients are similar to those reported in other solid organ transplants. Underlying liver disease of cystic fibrosis, primary sclerosing cholangitis, and acute hepatic necrosis are independent risk factors for NODAT in pediatric liver transplant recipients.

Liver transplantation in children: update 2010

Pediatric liver transplant recipients represent an important target population for primary care health professionals as well as transplant practitioners. With improving patient and graft survival, new concerns now face health care professionals caring for the transplant community, namely the long-term complications of immunosuppressive therapy and the potential for withdrawal of immunosuppression, transplant recipients' quality of life, and the persistent shortage of donor organs leading to morbidity and mortality on the waiting list. These issues require constant collaboration between pediatricians, transplant hepatologists, transplant surgeons, nurses, dieticians, social workers, psychologists, and other supporting services.

Nonimmune complications after transplantation

As posttransplant longevity has increased, nonimmune complications related to the transplant and posttransplant course have emerged as important factors in defining long-term outcomes. The incidence of, and risk factors for these complications may vary by transplanted organ based on immunosuppressive protocols and preexisting risk factors. This article discusses the relevant nonimmune complications associated with posttransplant care, with a focus on risk factors and management strategies.