Low-dose steroids do make a difference: Independent risk factors for impaired linear growth after pediatric liver transplantation.
Pediatr Transplant
; 25(4): e13989, 2021 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33689189
ABSTRACT
Growth failure persists after pediatric liver transplantation and impairs pediatric development and quality of life. Steroid dose minimization attempts to prevent growth impairment, yet long-term assessment in pediatric liver recipients is lacking. We identified risk factors for impaired linear growth after pediatric liver transplantation, with a special focus on low-dose steroid therapy. This is a single-center retrospective analysis of height development in pediatric liver recipients up to 5 years after transplantation. Risk factors for impaired linear growth (height Z-scores≤-2) at transplantation, after two (n = 347) and five years (n = 210) were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. At transplantation, growth retardation was found in 52.2%, predominantly younger children. Height Z-scores improved from -2.23 to -1.40 (SE 0.11; 95%CI 0.74-1.16; p < .001) two years and -1.19 (SE 0.07;0.08-0.34; p = .017) five years post-transplant. Multivariate analysis showed previous growth impairment (OR=1.484; 95%-CI=1.107-1.988; p = .004), graft loss (49.006;2.232-1076; p = .006), and prolonged cold ischemic time (1.034;1.007-1.061; p = .011) as main long-term risk factors; steroid use was a significant predictor of 2-year but not 5-year growth impairment. In univariate analysis, impaired growth after 2 and 5 years was associated with continuous low-dose (2.5 mg/m2 BSA) steroid therapy (OR=3.323;1.578-6.996; p < .001/OR=8.352;1.089-64.07; p = .006)and graft loss (OR=2.513;1.395-4.525; p = .003/OR=3.378;1.815-7.576; p < .001). Furthermore, indication and era of transplantation affected growth. Our results show significant catch-up growth after pediatric liver transplantation, yet growth failure strongly affects particularly young liver recipients. The main influenceable long-term risk factor is pre-existing growth failure, emphasizing the importance of early aggressive nutritional therapy. Moreover, low-dose steroid therapy might impair growth and should therefore be critically questioned in long-term immunosuppression.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Complicações Pós-Operatórias
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Estatura
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Prednisolona
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Transplante de Fígado
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Transtornos do Crescimento
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Imunossupressores
Tipo de estudo:
Etiology_studies
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Observational_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Aspecto:
Patient_preference
Limite:
Adolescent
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Child
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Child, preschool
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Female
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Humans
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Infant
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Male
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Newborn
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Pediatr Transplant
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article