Improved outcome of pediatric kidney transplantations in the Netherlands -- effect of the introduction of mycophenolate mofetil?

Collaboration of the Dutch centers for kidney transplantation in children started in 1997 with a shared immunosuppressive protocol, aimed at improving graft survival by diminishing the incidence of acute rejections. This study compares the results of transplantations in these patients to those in a historical reference group. Ninety-six consecutive patients receiving a first kidney transplant were treated with an immunosuppressive regimen consisting of mycophenolate mofetil, cyclosporine and corticosteroids. The results were compared with those of historic controls (first transplants between 1985 and 1995, n = 207), treated with different combinations of corticosteroids, cyclosporine A and/or azathioprine. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) prophylaxis was prescribed to high-risk patients in the study group, and only a small proportion of the reference group. The graft survival at 1 yr improved significantly: 92% in the study group, vs. 73% in the reference group (p < 0.001). In the study group 63% of patients remained rejection-free during the first year; in the reference group 28% (p < 0.001). After statistical adjustment of differences in baseline data, as cold ischemia time, the proportion of LRD, preemptive transplantation, and young donors, the difference between study and reference group in graft survival (RR 0.33, p = 0.003) and incidence of acute rejection (RR 0.37, p < 0.001), as the only factor, remained statistically significant, indicating the effect of the immunosuppressive therapy. In the first year one case of malignancy occurred in each group. CMV disease occurred less frequently in the study group (11%) than in the reference group (26%, p = 0.02). As a new complication in 4 patients bronchiectasis was diagnosed. A new consensus protocol, including the introduction of mycophenolate mofetil, considerably improved the outcome of pediatric kidney transplantation in the Netherlands, measured as reduction of the incidence of acute rejection and improved graft survival.

Nutritional effects of increasing dialysis dose by adding an icodextrin daytime dwell to Nocturnal Intermittent Peritoneal Dialysis (NIPD) in children.

BACKGROUND: To assess the need to adapt dietary prescriptions, we studied potential effects of increasing the dialysis dose by adding a daytime icodextrin dwell, in children on Nocturnal Intermittent Peritoneal Dialysis (NIPD), on peritoneal amino acids (AA) and albumin loss, AA, albumin, cholesterol and fibrinogen plasma levels and nutritional intake. METHODS: A cross-over study in eight children (age 2-12 years) on NIPD at baseline (week 1). INTERVENTION: to increase dialysis dose we added a daytime dwell with 1100 ml/m(2) icodextrin solution for a week (week 2). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: peritoneal albumin loss (quantified by nephelometry) and AA loss (quantified by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry) in the last 72 h dialysate collections of weeks 1 and 2. On days 7 and 14, morning blood sample was taken for urea, creatinine, plasma AA levels, serum albumin, cholesterol and fibrinogen determination. Nutritional intake diaries were kept throughout the study period. RESULTS: Weekly dialysis creatinine clearance increased from 35 to 65 l/1.73 m(2) (P<0.0001) and Kt/V from 1.99 to 2.54 (P<0.01). Peritoneal albumin loss did not change significantly (2.4+/-0.4 to 2.4+/-0.3 g/m(2)/24 h) nor did serum albumin (3.25+/-0.52 to 3.21+/-0.25 g/dl), cholesterol (216+/-73 to 240+/-61 mg/dl) and fibrinogen (385+/-40 to 436+/-64 mg/dl). There was a significant increase in loss of essential (EAA) [1122+/-200 to 2104+/-417 mg/m(2)/week (P<0.0001)] and non-essential amino acids (NEAA) [6160+/-1341 to 10406+/-2899 mg/m(2)/week (P<0.001)]. Plasma AA levels did not change significantly except for a drop in histidine and glutamine. Dietary protein intake did not change from 43+/-12 to 41+/-8 g/m(2)/day, caloric intake from 73+/-21 to 70+/-24 kcal/kg/day. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing dialysis dose by introducing a daytime icodextrin dwell during a week does not affect peritoneal albumin loss, serum albumin, cholesterol and fibrinogen levels nor dietary intake on a short term. There is a significant increase in EAA and NEAA loss without change in plasma levels. We suggest monitoring dietary intake when adding a daytime icodextrin dwell in children.