Pediatric Recipients (pediatric + recipient)

Distribution by Scientific Domains


Selected Abstracts


Survival Advantage of Pediatric Recipients of a First Kidney Transplant Among Children Awaiting Kidney Transplantation

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 12 2008
D. L. Gillen
The mortality rate in children with ESRD is substantially lower than the rate experienced by adults. However, the risk of death while awaiting kidney transplantation and the impact of transplantation on long-term survival has not been well characterized in the pediatric population. We performed a longitudinal study of 5961 patients under age 19 who were placed on the kidney transplant waiting list in the United States. Of these, 5270 received their first kidney transplant between 1990 and 2003. Survival was assessed via a time-varying nonproportional hazards model adjusted for potential confounders. Transplanted children had a lower mortality rate (13.1 deaths/1000 patient-years) compared to patients on the waiting list (17.6 deaths/1000 patient-years). Within the first 6 months of transplant, there was no significant excess in mortality compared to patients remaining on the waiting list (adjusted Relative Risk (aRR) = 1.01; p = 0.93). After 6 months, the risk of death was significantly lower: at 6,12 months (aRR = 0.37; p < 0.001) and at 30 months (aRR 0.26; p < 0.001). Compared to children who remain on the kidney transplant waiting list, those who receive a transplant have a long-term survival advantage. With the potential for unmeasured bias in this observational data, the results of the analysis should be interpreted conservatively. [source]


Arterial anastomosis in a pediatric patient receiving a right extended split liver transplant: A case report

PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 4 2009
Roberto Verzaro
Abstract:, We report a case of a pediatric patient who received a right-extended liver transplant. The size of the recipient hepatic artery did not match with the donor right hepatic arterial stump. Moreover, recipient arterial anatomy made the direct anastomosis difficult or at increased risk for complications. The recipient's splenic artery was then mobilized, divided and anastomosed to the donor's right hepatic artery. The spleen was preserved and revascularization through collaterals is demonstrated by Angio CT Scan. Doppler US of the transplanted liver demonstrated good flow through the liver and the patient was discharged with perfect liver function. Splenic artery is perfectly suited for hepatic artery anastomosis. The use of splenic artery is favored in particular situations as in the case of a pediatric recipient receiving a right-extended liver graft with small caliber artery. [source]


Identification of operationally tolerant liver transplant recipients,

LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue S2 2010
Alberto Sánchez-Fueyo
KEY POINTS: (1) Liver allografts exhibit intrinsic tolerogenic properties that result in their spontaneous acceptance in many experimental animal models. (2) In clinical transplantation, liver allografts require milder immunosuppression (IS) regimens than other organs, are remarkably resistant to antibody-mediated rejection, and only very rarely are lost because of immunological insults. (3) A fraction of stable liver transplant recipients can withdraw from all IS therapy and then maintain normal graft function and not experience rejection. This phenomenon is known as spontaneous operational tolerance. (4) The intentional discontinuation of IS in stable liver transplant recipients has led to successful weaning in almost 20% of recipients, but the true prevalence of spontaneous operational tolerance in unselected recipients is still unknown. (5) The prevalence could be higher in pediatric recipients undergoing transplantation before 1 year of age and in adult recipients with more than 10 years of posttransplant follow-up. (6) Rejection occurring during medically supervised IS weaning trials tends to be mild and, in the overwhelming majority of cases, can be easily resolved without the administration of high-dose IS. (7) Tolerant liver recipients exhibit specific transcriptional patterns in peripheral blood and in liver tissue that may constitute future diagnostic markers of tolerance. (8) There is still no formal proof that the discontinuation of low-dose IS in long-term surviving liver recipients improves the morbidity and mortality rates associated with IS therapy. Liver Transpl 16:S82-S86, 2010. © 2010 AASLD. [source]


Extended right liver grafts obtained by an ex situ split can be used safely for primary and secondary transplantation with acceptable biliary morbidity

LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 7 2009
Atsushi Takebe
Split liver transplantation (SLT) is clearly beneficial for pediatric recipients. However, the increased risk of biliary complications in adult recipients of SLT in comparison with whole liver transplantation (WLT) remains controversial. The objective of this study was to investigate the incidence and clinical outcome of biliary complications in an SLT group using split extended right grafts (ERGs) after ex situ splitting in comparison with WLT in adults. The retrospectively collected data for 80 consecutive liver transplants using ERGs after ex situ splitting between 1998 and 2007 were compared with the data for 80 liver transplants using whole liver grafts in a matched-pair analysis paired by the donor age, recipient age, indications, Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, and high-urgency status. The cold ischemic time was significantly longer in the SLT group (P = 0.006). As expected, bile leakage from the transected surface occurred only in the SLT group (15%) without any mortality or graft loss. The incidence of all other early or late biliary complications (eg, anastomotic leakage and stenosis) was not different between SLT and WLT. The 1- and 5-year patient and graft survival rates showed no statistical difference between SLT and WLT [83.2% and 82.0% versus 88.5% and 79.8% (P = 0.92) and 70.8% and 67.5% versus 83.6% and 70.0% (P = 0.16), respectively]. In conclusion, ERGs can be used safely without any increased mortality and with acceptable morbidity, and they should also be considered for retransplantation. The significantly longer cold ischemic time in the SLT group indicates the potential for improved results and should thus be considered in the design of allocation policies. Liver Transpl 15:730,737, 2009. © 2009 AASLD. [source]


Biliary reconstruction for infantile living donor liver transplantation: Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy or duct-to-duct choledochocholedochostomy?

LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 12 2008
Yasumasa Shirouzu
Hepaticojejunostomy is a standard biliary reconstruction method for infantile living donor liver transplantation (LDLT), but choledochocholedochostomy for infants is not generally accepted yet. Ten pediatric recipients weighing no more than 10 kg underwent duct-to-duct choledochocholedochostomy (DD) for biliary reconstruction for LDLT. Patients were followed up for a median period of 26.8 months (range: 4.0,79.0 months). The incidence of posttransplant biliary complications for DD was compared with that for Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (RY). No DD patients and 1 RY patient (5%) developed biliary leakage (P > 0.05), and biliary stricture occurred in 1 DD patient (10%) and none of the RY patients (P > 0.05); none of the DD patients and 5 RY patients (25%) suffered from uncomplicated cholangitis after LDLT (P > 0.05), and 1 DD patient (10%) and 2 RY patients (10%) died of causes unrelated to biliary complications. In conclusion, both hepaticojejunostomy and choledochocholedochostomy resulted in satisfactory outcome in terms of biliary complications, including leakage and stricture, for recipients weighing no more than 10 kg. Liver Transpl 14:1761,1765, 2008. © 2008 AASLD. [source]


Partial left lateral segment transplant from a living donor

LIVER TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 1 2000
Eduardo de Santibañes
A shortage of liver donors for low-weight transplant recipients has prompted the development of procedures for liver-reduction, split-liver, and living related donor transplantations. For pediatric recipients weighing less than 10 kg, the left lateral segment is often still too large. We describe the procedure of monosegmental transplantation using segment II after segment III was resected in situ from a living related donor. Successful monosegmental transplantation is technically feasible and is a valid alternative to be considered for cases of size discrepancy between the recipient's volume and the donor's left lateral segment. [source]


Long-term outcome of intensive initial immunosuppression protocol in pediatric deceased donor renal transplantation

PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 1 2010
Oyedolamu K. Olaitan
Olaitan OK, Zimmermann JA, Shields WP, Rodriguez-Navas G, Awan A, Mohan P, Little DM, Hickey DP. Long-term outcome of intensive initial immunosuppression protocol in pediatric deceased donor renal transplantation. Pediatr Transplantation 2010: 14: 87,92. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract:, To report the long-term outcome of deceased donor kidney transplantation in children with emphasis on the use of an intensive initial immunosuppression protocol using R-ATG as antibody induction. Between January 1991 and December 1997, 82 deceased donor kidney transplantations were performed in 75 pediatric recipients. Mean recipient age at transplantation was 12.9 yr and the mean follow-up period was 12.6 yr. All patients received quadruple immunosuppression with steroid, cyclosporine, azathioprine, and antibody induction using R-ATG-Fresenius®. Actual one, five, and 10 yr patient survival rates were 99%, 97%, and 94%, respectively; only one patient (1.2%) developed PTLD. Actual one, five, and 10 yr overall graft survival rates were 84%, 71%, and 50%, respectively; there were five cases (6%) of graft thrombosis and the actual immunological graft survival rates were 91%, 78%, and 63% at one, five, and 10 yr, respectively. The use of an intensive initial immunosuppression protocol with R-ATG as antibody induction is safe and effective in pediatric recipients of deceased donor kidneys with excellent immunological graft survival without an increase in PTLD or other neoplasms over a minimum 10-yr follow up. [source]


Rabbit antithymocyte globulin related decrease in platelet count reduced risk of pediatric renal transplant graft thrombosis

PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 7 2006
M. H. Kamel
Abstract:, Graft thrombosis is a serious complication in pediatric renal transplantation. We assess a potential protective effect for the decrease in platelet count associated with RATG therapy against pediatric renal transplant graft vascular thrombosis. Between January 1986 and December 1998, 120 kidney transplants were performed in 95 pediatric recipients. Patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (n = 61), non-RATG group received cyclosporine, azathioprine and steroids, while group 2 (n = 59), RATG group, received in addition, RATG at day 1 and continued for 4,10 days postoperatively. Platelet count prior to transplant, median change in absolute platelet count at 1 and 3 days post-transplant was recorded. Graft thrombosis incidence was examined. Six grafts (5%) developed thrombosis. All were in group 1 (p = 0.028). Median pretransplant platelet count (×109/L) in group 1 was 283 vs. 280 in group 2 (p = 0.921). Median decrease in absolute platelet count (×109/L) from pretransplant levels at one and three days post-transplant for group 1 and 2 was 18 vs. 83 (p , 0.001) and 39 vs. 105 (p , 0.001), respectively. Graft thrombosis risk factors were similar in both groups. RATG use was statistically significant (p = 0.044) for reduced risk of graft thrombosis in multivariate analysis. Patients receiving RATG showed significant decrease in both platelet count and graft thrombosis incidence. A role for RATG related effect on platelet count is assumed. [source]


Pediatric living donor lobar lung transplantation

PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 7 2006
Stuart C. Sweet
Abstract:, Living donor lobar lung transplantation (LDLLT) was developed in order to mitigate the growing competition for deceased donor (DD) lungs and resultant increase in waiting list mortality. Because each of the two donor lobes serves as an entire lung for the recipient, donors who are taller than the recipient are preferred. Therefore LDLLT is particularly well suited for pediatric recipients for whom adults serve as donors. Although long-term outcomes after LDLLT reported by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN) are worse compared with DD recipients, overall pediatric outcomes as well as single center reports from the most experienced programs are more promising. Particularly encouraging are the findings that bronchiolitis obliterans (OB) is less frequent or less severe in LDLLT recipients in comparison to DD recipients. Moreover, outcomes may be improved by careful selection of donors to ensure adequately sized donor lobes and minimization of infectious risks. Although no donor deaths have been reported, there is a moderate risk of significant short-term complications. Long-term follow-up has not been reported. The use of LDLLT has decreased in recent years, and the recent change by the OPTN to an urgency/benefit allocation system for DD lungs in patients 12 yr and older may further reduce the demand. Nonetheless, we anticipate that LDLLT will continue to be utilized in select circumstances, particularly in children under 12 where access to DD organs remains challenging. [source]


Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder following pediatric heart transplantation

PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 1 2006
Fernando Mendoza
Abstract:, Immunosuppression after heart transplantation is implicated in development of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD). Despite a higher prevalence of PTLD in children, there is scarce knowledge about incidence, pathophysiologic mechanisms and risk factors for PTLD in pediatric recipients of cardiac allografts. We examined retrospectively the medical records of all 143 pediatric patients (mean age 9.2 ± 6.1 yr) who received donor allografts between 1984 and 2002 and survived over 30 days. Five children (3.5%) developed PTLD over a mean follow-up period of 41.1 ± 46.0 months. Time from transplant to diagnosis of PTLD ranged from 3.9 to 112 months (mean 48.0 ± 41.9 months). Excluding PTLD, no other malignancies were found in this population. Actuarial freedom from PTLD was 99.2%, 99.2% and 96.2% at 1, 2, and 5 yr, respectively. Children who developed PTLD were more likely (by univariate analysis) to have been Rh negative (p = 0.01), Rh mismatched (p = 0.003), Epstein,Barr virus (EBV) seronegative (p = 0.001) and transplanted for congenital heart disease (p < 0.02). PTLD was associated with significant morbidity and mortality with a mean survival following diagnosis of 21.2 months. PTLD is a serious complicating outcome of cardiac transplantation that occurs in approximately 3.5% of children. Aside of immunosuppression, risk factors in this series for developing PTLD include EBV seronegativity and Rh negative status and mismatch. Non-hematogenous malignancies are rare in light of short allograft half-life. [source]


Post-transplantation growth among pediatric recipients of liver transplantation

PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 4 2005
Idris V.R. Evans
Abstract:, Improving a patient's quality-of-life (QOL) post-liver transplantation is of great importance. An aspect of improved QOL is the restoration of normal growth patterns in pediatric patients. To describe the post-transplantation growth patterns of 72 children included in the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , Liver Transplantation Database (NIDDK-LTD), multilevel models were used, according to which children who waited more than a year for transplantation were smaller, compared with age and sex matched peers, at transplantation than children who waited less than a year while children who were growth retarded at transplantation experienced a larger yearly comparison height increase than children who were not growth retarded. The analysis also showed that boys older than 2 yr and younger than 13 yr at transplantation and girls older than 2 yr and younger than 11 yr at transplantation were significantly less growth retarded at transplantation than boys and girls under the age of 2 yr at transplantation. [source]


Liver retransplantation in an infant requiring cavoportal hemi transposition

PEDIATRIC TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 4 2004
Deborah Verran
Abstract:, Historically inability to achieve portal inflow to the liver allograft operatively was felt to be a contraindication to orthotopic liver transplantation (OLTx). Cavoportal hemi transposition has been utilized more recently in adult OLTx recipients but rarely in pediatric recipients. Here we report the case of a 10-month-old male with biliary atresia, who required urgent retransplantation with an in situ split cadaver donor allograft for failure of his first liver allograft from portal vein thrombosis. At the time of retransplantation, cavoportal hemi transposition was required to effect portal vein inflow to the allograft because of extensive thrombosis of the recipients portomesenteric venous system. [source]


Pediatric Health-Related Quality of Life: Feasibility, Reliability and Validity of the PedsQLÔ Transplant Module

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 7 2010
J. Weissberg-Benchell
The measurement properties of the newly developed Pediatric Quality of Life InventoryÔ (PedsQLÔ) 3.0 Transplant Module in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients were evaluated. Participants included pediatric recipients of liver, kidney, heart and small bowel transplantation who were cared for at seven medical centers across the United States and their parents. Three hundred and thirty-eight parents of children ages 2,18 and 274 children ages 5,18 completed both the PedsQLÔ 4.0 Generic Core Scales and the Transplant Module. Findings suggest that child self-report and parent proxy-report scales on the Transplant Module demonstrated excellent reliability (total scale score for child self-report ,= 0.93; total scale score for parent proxy-report ,= 0.94). Transplant-specific symptoms or problems were significantly correlated with lower generic HRQOL, supporting construct validity. Children with solid organ transplants and their parents reported statistically significant lower generic HRQOL than healthy children. Parent and child reports showed moderate to good agreement across the scales. In conclusion, the PedsQLÔ Transplant Module demonstrated excellent initial feasibility, reliability and construct validity in pediatric patients with solid organ transplants. [source]


Current Kidney Allocation Rules and Their Impact on a Pediatric Transplant Center

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2009
E. C. Abraham
In 2005, kidney allocation rules in the United States were updated to enhance access to kidneys from young adult deceased donors (DDs) for pediatric recipients. We studied how this rule change affected transplant activity at our pediatric center. We retrospectively compared kidney transplant activity at our center since the rule change (until December 31, 2007) to before the change (n = 36 each), focusing on those recipients directly affected by it, that is, younger than 18 years. There were no significant differences in recipients' age, gender or ethnicity before versus after the rule change. Percentages of preemptive transplants and retransplants were similar in both groups, as was the percentage of sensitized patients. There was a significant decrease in overall, but not DD, mean donor age. Mean wait time for DD kidneys decreased for pediatric recipients. Increases were found in percentage of DD transplants and in mean HLA mismatches after the rule change. Patient and short-term graft survival were not significantly different. These data suggest that the allocation rule change was not only followed by improvement in overall access to kidney transplantation for children, but also by decreases in living donor transplants and HLA matching. Larger studies are needed to evaluate the long-term impact of the change. [source]


Pulmonary Capillaritis as a Manifestation of Acute Humoral Allograft Rejection Following Infant Lung Transplantation

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 2 2009
T. L. Astor
Pulmonary capillaritis has been described in adult lung transplant recipients, but has not been previously reported in pediatric recipients. We report a case of posttransplant pulmonary capillaritis in an 8-month-old infant, and demonstrate evidence of C4d deposition and B-lymphocytes in the allograft, donor anti-HLA antibodies in the serum and a clinical and immunohistochemical response to anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (rituximab) therapy. These findings strongly support the hypothesis that pulmonary capillaritis may represent a form of acute humoral rejection in the lung allograft that is less common than, and clinically and histologically distinct from, typical acute cellular rejection. [source]


Predictors of Candidate Maturation Among Potential Living Donors

AMERICAN JOURNAL OF TRANSPLANTATION, Issue 10 2005
Elizabeth C. Verna
The shortage of deceased donor allografts and improved outcomes in partial organ transplantation have led to widespread application of adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation. Donor selection limits overall utilization of this technique and predictors of candidate maturation have been inadequately studied to date. We therefore collected data on 237 consecutive potential donors including their age, sex, ethnicity, relationship to the recipient, education, employment and religious beliefs and practices. Of these 237 candidates, 91 (38%) were excluded for medical and psychosocial reasons, 53 (22%) withdrew from the process predonation and 93 (39%) underwent partial liver donation. In multivariate analyses, the relationship between the donor and the recipient was highly predictive of successful donation. For pediatric recipients, no parents voluntarily withdrew from the evaluation process. For adult recipients, spouses are the most likely to donate, followed by parents, children and siblings. Additional predictors for donation included self-description as religious but not regularly practicing, part-time employment and higher education. Race, ethnicity, gender and age did not predict donation in multivariate analysis. Further understanding of the complex decision to donate may improve donation rates as well as permit more efficient and cost-effective donor evaluation strategies. [source]