Lack of differences in outcomes between three immunosuppression protocols in the first year post pediatric liver transplantation. A multicenter study.

INTRODUCTION: Advances in immunosuppression have extended patient and graft survival rates after solid organ transplantation; however, this is not free of side effects. Balancing safety and efficacy is of paramount importance, particularly in the pediatric setting. Current literature comparing different protocols is scarce, and decisions are mostly guided by physician preference. We aimed to compare three different protocols from four different centers to identify differences in outcomes after one year of follow-up. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the databases of the participating centers was performed. Consecutive patients aged <18 years with a first liver-only transplant and no other underlying congenital or acquired immunodeficiency were included. Patients were classified according to the immunosuppression protocol as follows: Group A (Prednisone + Tacrolimus + Basiliximab), Group B (Prednisone + Tacrolimus + Basiliximab + anti-thymocyte globulin), and Group C (Prednisone + Tacrolimus). Differences in survival, frequency of rejection, infections, and other complications were analyzed in the entire group (n=97) and in the group with biliary atresia (n=48). RESULTS: After one year of follow-up, no differences in patient or graft survival were observed when comparing either the entire group (n=97) or patients with biliary atresia only (n=48). The frequencies of rejection and episodes of infection were similar. Renal function showed no differences either before or after transplantation or between the groups. CONCLUSION: Immunosuppression protocols used in this study appeared to be equally safe and effective. This could offer the opportunity to tailor them to the patient's individual characteristics without compromising the outcome.

Maralixibat in progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (MARCH-PFIC): a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (PFIC) is a group of autosomal recessive disorders, the most prevalent being BSEP deficiency, resulting in disrupted bile formation, cholestasis, and pruritus. Building on a previous phase 2 study, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of maralixibat-an ileal bile acid transporter inhibitor-in participants with all types of PFIC. METHODS: MARCH-PFIC was a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 study conducted in 29 community and hospital centres across 16 countries in Europe, the Americas, and Asia. We recruited participants aged 1-17 years with PFIC with persistent pruritus (>6 months; average of ≥1·5 on morning Itch-Reported Outcome [Observer; ItchRO(Obs)] during the last 4 weeks of screening) and biochemical abnormalities or pathological evidence of progressive liver disease, or both. We defined three analysis cohorts. The BSEP (or primary) cohort included only those with biallelic, non-truncated BSEP deficiency without low or fluctuating serum bile acids or previous biliary surgery. The all-PFIC cohort combined the BSEP cohort with participants with biallelic FIC1, MDR3, TJP2, or MYO5B deficiencies without previous surgery but regardless of bile acids. The full cohort had no exclusions. Participants were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive oral maralixibat (starting dose 142·5 µg/kg, then escalated to 570 µg/kg) or placebo twice daily for 26 weeks. The primary endpoint was the mean change in average morning ItchRO(Obs) severity score between baseline and weeks 15-26 in the BSEP cohort. The key secondary efficacy endpoint was the mean change in total serum bile acids between baseline and the average of weeks 18, 22, and 26 in the BSEP cohort. Efficacy analyses were done in the intention-to-treat population (all those randomly assigned) and safety analyses were done in all participants who received at least one dose of study drug. This completed trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03905330, and EudraCT, 2019-001211-22. FINDINGS: Between July 9, 2019, and March 4, 2022, 125 patients were screened, of whom 93 were randomly assigned to maralixibat (n=47; 14 in the BSEP cohort and 33 in the all-PFIC cohort) or placebo (n=46; 17 in the BSEP cohort and 31 in the all-PFIC cohort), received at least one dose of study drug, and were included in the intention-to-treat and safety populations. The median age was 3·0 years (IQR 2·0-7·0) and 51 (55%) of 93 participants were female and 42 (45%) were male. In the BSEP cohort, least-squares mean change from baseline in morning ItchRO(Obs) was -1·7 (95% CI -2·3 to -1·2) with maralixibat versus -0·6 (-1·1 to -0·1) with placebo, with a significant between-group difference of -1·1 (95% CI -1·8 to -0·3; p=0·0063). Least-squares mean change from baseline in total serum bile acids was -176 µmol/L (95% CI -257 to -94) for maralixibat versus 11 µmol/L (-58 to 80) for placebo, also representing a significant difference of -187 µmol/L (95% CI -293 to -80; p=0·0013). The most common adverse event was diarrhoea (27 [57%] of 47 patients on maralixibat vs nine [20%] of 46 patients on placebo; all mild or moderate and mostly transient). There were five (11%) participants with serious treatment-emergent adverse events in the maralixibat group versus three (7%) in the placebo group. No treatment-related deaths occurred. INTERPRETATION: Maralixibat improved pruritus and predictors of native liver survival in PFIC (eg, serum bile acids). Maralixibat represents a non-surgical, pharmacological option to interrupt the enterohepatic circulation and improve the standard of care in patients with PFIC. FUNDING: Mirum Pharmaceuticals.

Transición en las enfermedades crónicas gastrointestinales. Del cuidado pediátrico al del adulto / Transition in chronic gastrointestinal diseases. From pediatric to adult care

Los avances tecnológicos y del conocimiento hicieron que un mayor número de pacientes con enfermedad crónica gastrointestinal pasen de ser atendidos por el pediatra al control por los médicos de adultos durante una de las etapas más vulnerables de la vida: la adolescencia. El Grupo de Trabajo de Transición del Comité de Gastroenterología de la Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría realizó una búsqueda de literatura exhaustiva y convocó a especialistas referentes del país, con el objeto de unificar los criterios basados en la evidencia y la experiencia. De esta manera, se proponen una serie de recomendaciones para todo el equipo de salud (pediatra, gastroenterólogo infantil, nutricionista, gastroenterólogo de adultos, psicólogo, enfermería), incluso para pacientes y familias, que faciliten el proceso de transición y optimicen el seguimiento, el control, la prevención de complicaciones y la calidad de vida de los pacientes con enfermedades crónicas gastrointestinales

Technological advances and the globalization of knowledge have led to a considerable increase in the number of patients with chronic gastrointestinal disease who transition from pediatric to adult care during one of the most vulnerable life stages: adolescence. The Transition Working Group of the Gastroenterology Committee of the Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría conducted an exhaustive literature search and summoned leading specialists in the most frequent chronic pathologies from all over the country to unify criteria based on evidence and experience. As a result, a series of recommendations are proposed for the whole health team (pediatrician, pediatric gastroenterologist, nutritionist, adult gastroenterologist, psychologist, and nurse) including patients and families, to facilitate the transition process, optimize follow-up, prevent complications, and improve the quality of life of patients with chronic gastrointestinal diseases.

[Transition in chronic gastrointestinal diseases. From pediatric to adult care]. / Transición en las enfermedades crónicas gastrointestinales. Del cuidado pediátrico al del adulto.

Technological advances and the globalization of knowledge have led to a considerable increase in the number of patients with chronic gastrointestinal disease who transition from pediatric to adult care during one of the most vulnerable life stages: adolescence. The Transition Working Group of the Gastroenterology Committee of the Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría conducted an exhaustive literature search and summoned leading specialists in the most frequent chronic pathologies from all over the country to unify criteria based on evidence and experience. As a result, a series of recommendations are proposed for the whole health team (pediatrician, pediatric gastroenterologist, nutritionist, adult gastroenterologist, psychologist, and nurse) including patients and families, to facilitate the transition process, optimize follow-up, prevent complications, and improve the quality of life of patients with chronic gastrointestinal diseases.

Los avances tecnológicos y del conocimiento hicieron que un mayor número de pacientes con enfermedad crónica gastrointestinal pasen de ser atendidos por el pediatra al control por los médicos de adultos durante una de las etapas más vulnerables de la vida: la adolescencia. El Grupo de Trabajo de Transición del Comité de Gastroenterología de la Sociedad Argentina de Pediatría realizó una búsqueda de literatura exhaustiva y convocó a especialistas referentes del país, con el objeto de unificar los criterios basados en la evidencia y la experiencia. De esta manera, se proponen una serie de recomendaciones para todo el equipo de salud (pediatra, gastroenterólogo infantil, nutricionista, gastroenterólogo de adultos, psicólogo, enfermería), incluso para pacientes y familias, que faciliten el proceso de transición y optimicen el seguimiento, el control, la prevención de complicaciones y la calidad de vida de los pacientes con enfermedades crónicas gastrointestinales.

Understanding Local Hemodynamic Changes After Liver Transplant: Different Entities or Simply Different Sides to the Same Coin?

Liver transplantation is an extremely complex procedure performed in an extremely complex patient. With a successful technique and acceptable long-term survival, a new challenge arose: overcoming donor shortage. Thus, living donor liver transplant and other techniques were developed. Aiming for donor safety, many liver transplant units attempted to push the viable limits in terms of size, retrieving smaller and smaller grafts for adult recipients. With these smaller grafts came numerous problems, concepts, and definitions. The spotlight is now aimed at the mirage of hemodynamic changes derived from the recipients prior alterations. This article focuses on the numerous hemodynamic syndromes, their definitions, causes, and management and interconnection with each other. The aim is to aid the physician in their recognition and treatment to improve liver transplantation success.

Pediatric Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multicenter Study of Changing Trends in Argentina Over the Past 30 Years.

Purpose: To analyze the characteristics of pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) over the past three decades in Argentina and determine if there are differences between the first two decades and the past decade. Methods: We conducted a retrospective multicenter analytical study in children with IBD between 0 and 18 years of age diagnosed between 1987 and 2017 in three tertiary health centers in Argentina. The evaluation included clinical characterization, endoscopy, histology, and imaging data together with therapeutic strategies. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1, diagnosed between 1987 and 2007, and Group 2, diagnosed between 2008 and 2017. Results: Of the 756 patients included, 409 (54%) had ulcerative colitis (UC), 250 (33%) had Crohn's disease (CD), and 97 (13%) had IBD-unclassified (IBD-U). The positive family history was 3.8%, which was more frequent among children under two years of age (6.7%). There were no significant differences in clinical presentation and extraintestinal manifestations between periods, with hepatic manifestations being the most frequent. In the last decade, we found an upward trend in CD, a downward trend in UC/IBD-U, even after adjustment for socioeconomic status, and a decrease of 50% in surgical treatments coinciding with the advent of biological therapy. Conclusion: This is the first multicenter cohort study in a Latin American country to describe clinical, endoscopic, and therapeutic data across the past 30-year period. Although CD was responsible for the overall increase in incidence, UC was still prevalent in this region.

Percutaneous Balloon Dilatation for Hepaticojejunostomy Stricture Following Paediatric Liver Transplantation: Long-Term Results of an Institutional "Three-Session" Protocol.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to report the long-term results of an institutional protocol of percutaneous biliary balloon dilatation (PBBD) on paediatric patients with benign anastomotic stricture after liver transplantation. As a secondary objective, we evaluated risk factors associated with post-treatment re-stricture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen paediatric, post-liver transplant patients with benign anastomotic stricture of Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy were included. All patients underwent the same treatment protocol of three PBBD procedures with 15-day intervals. Clinical outcome was analysed using the Terblanche classification. Primary patency rate was assessed with the Kaplan-Meier test. RESULTS: All patients had an initial successful result (Terblanche grade, excellent/good) after PBBD. At the end of the follow-up time of 35.7 ± 21.1 months (CI95%, 23.5-47.9), 10 patients persisted with excellent/good grading, while the remaining 4 had re-stricture, all of the latter occurring within the first 19 months. Patency rate after percutaneous treatment at 1, 3, and 5 years were 85.7%, 70%, and 70%, respectively. History of major complication after liver transplantation was associated with 5 times higher risk of re-stricture, HR 5.48 [95% CI, 2.18-8.78], p = 0.018. CONCLUSION: In paediatric patients with benign anastomotic stricture of hepaticojejunostomy after liver transplantation, the "Three-session" percutaneous biliary balloon dilatation protocol is associated with a high rate of long-term success. In this limited series, the history of post-liver transplant major complication, defined as complications requiring a reintervention under general anaesthesia or advanced life support, seems to be an independent risk factor for stricture recurrence.

Acute Liver Injury Among Pediatric Liver Transplantation Recipients With Coronavirus Disease 2019: An International Collaborative Study.

ABSTRACT: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an ongoing pandemic. The occurrence of acute liver injury (ALI) has been reported in liver transplant (LT) recipients; however, the findings on children remain controversial. This is the first extensive, worldwide report on the impact of COVID-19 on pediatric LT recipients. Our online survey reported 110 pediatric LT recipients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Of these, 37 were symptomatic and 20 out of them (54%) had complicated COVID-19, which included ALI and acute liver graft rejection. No mortality was reported. Pediatric LT recipients who had undergone transplantation less than 6 months before contracting COVID-19 had a greater number of hospital admissions and a higher ALI frequency (P = 0.013 and P = 0.033, respectively) than those who had undergone transplantation more than 6 months prior. Our study found that COVID-19 cases among pediatric LT recipients demonstrated a high complication rate. We propose that these patients must be followed up strictly.

Calidad de vida de los hermanos de pacientes con enfermedad crónica / Quality of life among siblings of patients with chronic conditions

Introducción. La calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) es una medida de resultado de salud. Evalúa el impacto subjetivo y global de las enfermedades en la vida cotidiana. Brinda información multidimensional sobre el bienestar físico, relación familiar y sus pares. Los estudios de CVRS de hermanos son limitados.Objetivo. Comparar CVRS de los hermanos de pacientes pediátricos con patologías reumáticas crónicas, trasplante renal o hepático con la de niños sanos con hermanos sin enfermedades crónicas.Resultados. Se compararon hermanos de niños con trasplante renal (n: 65), trasplante hepático (n: 35) y patologías reumáticas crónicas (n: 36) con el grupo control de niños sanos (n: 51). El grupo total de hermanos tuvieron puntuación más baja, estadísticamente significativa, en las dimensiones bienestar físico, amigos-apoyo social y recursos económicos. Los hermanos de trasplante renal tuvieron baja puntuación en las dimensiones de bienestar físico (p < 0,02; tamaño del efecto ­TE­: 0,66) y recursos económicos (p < 0,01; TE: 0,66). Los hermanos de trasplante hepático percibieron menor bienestar físico (p = 0,04), tenían menos amigos y apoyo social (p < 0,01), dificultades en el entorno escolar (p < 0,02) y recursos económicos (p < 0,01). Los hermanos de patologías reumáticas crónicas tuvieron menor bienestar físico (p < 0,05; TE: 0,44) y apoyo social-amigos (p < 0,01; TE: 0,58).Conclusión. La CVRS de niños/as sanos de hermanos con patologías crónicas es menor en bienestar físico, amigos-apoyo social y recursos económicos comparada con el grupo de niños sanos.

Introduction. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a measure of health outcomes. It assesses the subjective and overall impact of diseases on daily life. It also provides multidimensional data about physical well-being, family and peers relations. HRQoL studies on siblings are limited.Objective. To compare HRQoL among siblings of pediatric patients with chronic rheumatic diseases, kidney or liver transplant and healthy children whose siblings had no chronic conditions.Results. The siblings of children with kidney transplant (n: 65), liver transplant (n: 35), and chronic rheumatic diseases (n: 36) were compared to the healthy children group (n: 51). The total siblings group had a lower, statistically significant score in the physical well-being, social support and peers, and financial resources dimensions. The siblings of kidney transplant patients had a low score in the physical well-being (p < 0.02; effect size [ES]: 0.66) and financial resources (p < 0.01; ES: 0.66) dimensions. The siblings of liver transplant patients perceived a lower physical well-being (p = 0.04), less social support and peers(p < 0.01), and difficulties in relation to school environment (p < 0.02) and financial resources (p < 0.01). The siblings of those with chronic rheumatic diseases had a lower score in the physical well-being (p < 0.05; ES: 0.44) and social support and peers (p < 0.01; ES: 0.58) dimensions.Conclusion. HRQoL among healthy children whose siblings have a chronic disease was lower in the physical well-being, social support and peers, and financial resources dimensions compared to the healthy children group.

Quality of life among siblings of patients with chronic conditions. / Calidad de vida de los hermanos de pacientes con enfermedad crónica.

INTRODUCTION: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a measure of health outcomes. It assesses the subjective and overall impact of diseases on daily life. It also provides multidimensional data about physical wellbeing, family and peers relations. HRQoL studies on siblings are limited. OBJECTIVE: To compare HRQoL among siblings of pediatric patients with chronic rheumatic diseases, kidney or liver transplant and healthy children whose siblings had no chronic conditions. RESULTS: The siblings of children with kidney transplant (n: 65), liver transplant (n: 35), and chronic rheumatic diseases (n: 36) were compared to the healthy children group (n: 51). The total siblings group had a lower, statistically significant score in the physical well-being, social support and peers, and financial resources dimensions. The siblings of kidney transplant patients had a low score in the physical wellbeing (p < 0.02; effect size [ES]: 0.66) andfinancial resources (p < 0.01; ES: 0.66) dimensions. The siblings of liver transplant patients perceived a lower physical well-being (p = 0.04), less social support and peers (p < 0.01), and difficulties in relation to school environment (p < 0.02) and financial resources (p <0.01). The siblings of those with chronic rheumatic diseases had a lower score in the physical well-being (p < 0.05; ES: 0.44) and social support and peers (p <0.01; ES: 0.58) dimensions. CONCLUSION: HRQoL among healthy children whose siblings have a chronic disease was lower in the physical well-being, social support and peers, and financial resources dimensions compared to the healthy children group.

Introducción. La calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) es una medida de resultado de salud. Evalúa el impacto subjetivo y global de las enfermedades en la vida cotidiana. Brinda información multidimensional sobre el bienestar físico, relación familiar y sus pares. Los estudios de CVRS de hermanos son limitados. Objetivo. Comparar CVRS de los hermanos de pacientes pediátricos con patologías reumáticas crónicas, trasplante renal o hepático con la de niños sanos con hermanos sin enfermedades crónicas. Resultados. Se compararon hermanos de niños con trasplante renal (n: 65), trasplante hepático (n: 35) y patologías reumáticas crónicas (n: 36) con el grupo control de niños sanos (n: 51). El grupo total de hermanos tuvieron puntuación más baj a, estadísticamente significativa, enlas dimensiones bienestar físico, amigos-apoyo social y recursos económicos. Los hermanos de trasplante renal tuvieron baja puntuación en las dimensiones de bienestar físico (p < 0,02; tamaño del efecto -TE-: 0,66) y recursos económicos (p < 0,01; TE: 0,66). Los hermanos de trasplante hepático percibieron menor bienestar físico (p = 0,04), tenían menos amigos y apoyo social (p < 0,01), dificultades en el entorno escolar (p < 0,02) y recursos económicos (p < 0,01). Los hermanos de patologías reumáticas crónicas tuvieron menor bienestar físico (p < 0,05; TE: 0,44) y apoyo social-amigos (p < 0,01; TE: 0,58). Conclusión. La CVRS de niños/as sanos de hermanos con patologías crónicas es menor en bienestar físico, amigos-apoyo social y recursos económicos comparada con el grupo de niños sanos.

Changing Etiologies and Prognostic Factors in Pediatric Acute Liver Failure.

After the implementation of universal hepatitis A virus vaccination in Argentina, the outcome of pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) remains unknown. We aimed to identify variables associated with the risk of liver transplantation (LT) or death and to determine the causes and short-term outcomes of PALF in Argentina. We retrospectively included 135 patients with PALF listed for LT between 2007 and 2016. Patients with autoimmune hepatitis (AIH), Wilson's disease (WD), or inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) were classified as PALF-chronic liver disease (CLD), and others were classified as "pure" PALF. A logistic regression model was developed to identify factors independently associated with death or need of LT and risk stratification. The most common etiologies were indeterminate (52%), AIH (23%), WD (6%), and IEM (6%). Overall, transplant-free survival was 35%, whereas 50% of the patients underwent LT and 15% died on the waiting list. The 3-month risk of LT or death was significantly higher among patients with pure PALF compared with PALF-CLD (76.5% versus 42.5%; relative risk, 1.8 [1.3-2.5]; P < 0.001), and 3 risk factors were independently associated with worse outcome: international normalized ratio (INR) ≥3.5 (odds ratio [OR], 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3-7.2]), bilirubin ≥17 mg/dL (OR, 4.4; 95% CI, 1.9-10.3]), and pure PALF (OR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.6-8.9). Patients were identified by the number of risk factors: Patients with 0, 1, or ≥2 risk factors presented a 3-month risk of worse outcome of 17.6%, 36.6%, and 82%, respectively. In conclusion, although lacking external validation, this simple risk-staging model might help stratify patients with different transplant-free survival rates and may contribute to establishing the optimal timing for LT.

Hepatitis grave producida por intoxicación con té verde en un niño. Presentación de un caso / Severe hepatitis caused by green tea intoxication in a child. Case report

El daño hepático inducido por hierbas es una reacción adversa relacionada con el uso de medicina herbaria, incluida en el grupo de daño hepático inducido por drogas. El uso terapéutico de hierbas medicinales es cada vez más frecuente por la creencia de que los productos naturales o hierbas son siempre seguros. En Estados Unidos, la incidencia de toxicidad alcanza un 9 % y, en países de Asia, un 19-63 % de los casos totales de daño hepático inducido por drogas.El té verde es obtenido de las hojas de la Camellia sinensis. Las hojas recién cosechadas son estabilizadas por calentamiento en seco para inactivar la enzima polifenol y luego se secan rápidamente. Su consumo ha aumentado en los últimos años, y se han documentado reacciones hepatotóxicas. Se presenta un caso de hepatitis aguda grave asociada al consumo de té verde en un niño de 2 años.

Herb-induced liver injury is a type of adverse drug reaction related to using herbal medicine, and now is a segment of drug-induced liver injury. The use of herbal products has increased significantly, because it is generally regarded as safe and natural by the public. In the United States, the incidence reaches 9 % and, in the countries of Asia, 19-63 % of the total cases of drug-induced liver injury. Green tea is obtained from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis. Freshly harvested leaves are stabilized by dry heating to inactivate the polyphenol enzyme and then dried quickly. Its consumption has increased in recent years and has been reported with hepatotoxic reactions.We present a case of severe hepatitis related to the consumption of green tea in a 2-year-old child.

[Severe hepatitis caused by green tea intoxication in a child. Case report]. / Hepatitis grave producida por intoxicación con té verde en un niño. Presentación de un caso.

Herb-induced liver injury is a type of adverse drug reaction related to using herbal medicine, and now is a segment of druginduced liver injury. The use of herbal products has increased significantly, because it is generally regarded as safe and natural by the public. In the United States, the incidence reaches 9 % and, in the countries of Asia, 19-63 % of the total cases of druginduced liver injury. Green tea is obtained from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis. Freshly harvested leaves are stabilized by dry heating to inactivate the polyphenol enzyme and then dried quickly. Its consumption has increased in recent years and has been reported with hepatotoxic reactions. We present a case of severe hepatitis related to the consumption of green tea in a 2-year-old child.

El daño hepático inducido por hierbas es una reacción adversa relacionada con el uso de medicina herbaria, incluida en el grupo de daño hepático inducido por drogas. El uso terapéutico de hierbas medicinales es cada vez más frecuente por la creencia de que los productos naturales o hierbas son siempre seguros. En Estados Unidos, la incidencia de toxicidad alcanza un 9 % y, en países de Asia, un 19-63 % de los casos totales de daño hepático inducido por drogas. El té verde es obtenido de las hojas de la Camellia sinensis. Las hojas recién cosechadas son estabilizadas por calentamiento en seco para inactivar la enzima polifenol y luego se secan rápidamente. Su consumo ha aumentado en los últimos años, y se han documentado reacciones hepatotóxicas. Se presenta un caso de hepatitis aguda grave asociada al consumo de té verde en un niño de 2 años.

Successful Treatment of Juvenile Polyposis of Infancy With Sirolimus.

Juvenile polyposis syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant condition characterized by multiple hamartomatous polyps throughout the gastrointestinal tract. Juvenile polyposis of infancy is a generalized severe form of juvenile polyposis syndrome associated with a poor prognosis. A 47-month-old female infant presented initially with gastrointestinal bleeding and protein-losing enteropathy at 4 months of age. At the age of 12 months, the condition worsened, requiring albumin infusions every 24 to 48 hours and red blood cell transfusions every 15 days. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy, and small-bowel enteroscopy revealed diffuse polyposis that was treated with multiple endoscopic polypectomies. Despite subtotal colectomy with ileorectal anastomosis, protein-losing enteropathy and bleeding persisted, requiring continued blood transfusions and albumin infusions. A chromosomal microarray revealed a single allele deletion in chromosome 10q23, involving both the PTEN and BMPR1A genes. Loss of PTEN function is associated with an increased activation of the protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway involved in cell proliferation. Treatment with sirolimus, an mTOR inhibitor, was initiated with the aim of inhibiting polyp growth. Soon after initiation of treatment with sirolimus, blood and albumin infusions were no longer needed and resulted in improved patient growth and quality of life. This case represents the first detailed report of successful drug therapy for life-threatening juvenile polyposis of infancy.

Biliary reconstruction before clamp removal to avoid portal vein thrombosis in pediatric living-donor liver transplantation using hyper-reduced left lateral segment grafts: A novel technical strategy.

LT has become the treatment of choice for children with end-stage liver disease. The scarcity of donors and the considerable mortality on waiting lists have propelled the related living-donor techniques, especially in small children. This population need smaller and good quality grafts and are usually candidates to receive a LLS from a related donor. Many times this grafts are still large and do not fit in the receptor's abdomen, so a further hyper-reduction may be required. Despite all advances in LT field, vascular complications still occur in a considerable proportion remaining as a significant cause of morbidity, graft loss, and mortality. Technical issues currently play an essential role in its genesis. The widely spread technique for biliary and vascular reconstruction in living donor LT (LDLT) nowadays implies removal of the portal vein (PV) clamp after the venous anastomosis, then the arterial reconstruction is done, followed by the biliary reconstruction. However, due to the posterior location of the LLS bile duct, for its reconstruction, a rotation of the liver is required risking a potential transient PV occlusion leading to thrombosis afterward. We describe a new technique that involves performing biliary reconstruction after the PV anastomosis and before removing the vascular clamp, thus allowing to freely rotate the liver with less risk of PV occlusion and thrombosis.

Short- and Long-Term Outcomes After Live-Donor Transplantation with Hyper-Reduced Liver Grafts in Low-Weight Pediatric Recipients.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate short- and long-term outcomes after live-donor liver transplantation (LT) with hyper-reduced grafts in low-weight pediatric recipients. LT is an established curative therapy for children with end-stage chronic liver disease or acute liver failure. A major problem in pediatric LT has been the lack of size-matched donor organs. The disadvantage of the use of large-for-size grafts is the insufficient tissue oxygenation and graft compression, which result in poor outcomes. The shortage of suitable donors is most notable in children under 10 kg. To overcome such obstacle, in situ hyper-reduced live-donor liver grafts have been introduced. Available articles in the literature are based on small samples and are deficient in long-term follow-up. METHODS: A single-cohort, retrospective analysis was conducted including 59 pediatric patients under 10 kg who underwent hyper-reduced (in situ "a la carte" left lateral segment reduction) live-donor LT (LDLT) between February 1994 and February 2018. RESULTS: The most frequent cause of liver failure was biliary atresia (70%). Median recipient weight was 8 kg. Vascular complications were confirmed in 15% of the sample, while 45% presented biliary complications. Median follow-up time was 40.3 months. Ten-year overall survival rate was 74%. Pediatric end-stage liver disease score > 23 was associated with a higher risk of post-operative complications. CONCLUSION: LDLT can be undertaken in children with body weight < 10 kg achieving good results in high-volume centers by experienced surgeons.

Similarities and Differences in Allocation Policies for Pediatric Liver Transplantation Across the World.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to investigate national allocation policies for pediatric liver transplantation (LT). METHOD: A survey was prepared by the European Society for Paediatric Gastroenterology Hepatology and Nutrition Hepatology Committee in collaboration with the North American Studies of Pediatric Liver Transplantation consortium. The survey was sent to pediatric hepatologists and transplant surgeons worldwide. National data were obtained from centrally based registries. RESULTS: Replies were obtained from 15 countries from 5 of the world continents. Overall donation rate varied between 9 and 35 per million inhabitants. The number of pediatric LTs was 4 to 9 per million inhabitants younger than 18 years for 13 of the 15 respondents. In children younger than 2 years mortality on the waiting list (WL) varied between 0 and 20%. In the same age group, there were large differences in the ratio of living donor LT to deceased donor LT and in the ratio of split liver segments to whole liver. These differences were associated with possible discrepancies in WL mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Similarities but also differences between countries were detected. The described data may be of importance when trying to reduce WL mortality in the youngest children.

Percutaneous Patency Recovery and Biodegradable Stent Placement in a Totally Occluded Hepaticojejunostomy After Paediatric Living Donor Liver Transplantation.

Biliary complications after living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) cause severe morbidity and mortality, with biliary anastomotic stricture being the most common form of presentation. Surgical revision is risky, and it is avoided whenever possible. When a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy (RYHJ) is used for bilioenteric reconstruction, endoscopic approach is more difficult, if not impracticable. Therefore, percutaneous approach remains as a first-line treatment in these patients. In this case presentation, a percutaneous approach was used to recover patency in an intractable, totally occluded RYHJ stricture in an LDLT paediatric recipient, using a Rösch-Uchida needle to access to the collapsed jejunal loop from the bile duct. Once recanalization of the RYHJ was achieved, a biodegradable stent was placed with middle-term patency at follow-up.