Daily Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients With Chronic Liver Disease.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this article is to evaluate the response to 6000 IU oral cholecalciferol (OC) treatment in children with chronic liver disease (CLD) and 25(OH)D deficiency. METHODS: This historical cohort included non-transplanted CLD patients younger than 18 years old, which were analyzed for serum 25(OH)D, liver function, bone metabolism, Child-Pugh classification, and anthropometry. Patients with 25(OH)D deficiency (defined as 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL) who received 6000 IU/day of OC were analyzed pre- and post-intervention, and considered responders if 25(OH)D > 20 ng/mL after at least 60 days. We compared clinical and laboratory data from patients with and without 25(OH)D deficiency, responders and nonresponders. RESULTS: We studied 96 patients, of which 57.2% had biliary atresia. The prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency was 67.7% (65/96). These patients were younger ( P < 0.001), had higher Child-Pugh scores ( P < 0.001), higher levels of total bilirubin (TB) ( P < 0.001), gamma-glutamyl transferase ( P < 0.001), and alkaline phosphatase ( P = 0.002), as well as lower levels of phosphorus ( P = 0.009) compared with patients without 25(OH)D deficiency. The median treatment length was 126 days (70-307 days). At the end of treatment, we observed a higher median of 25(OH)D ( P < 0.001), and lower median of parathyroid hormone (PTH) ( P = 0.023). Nine patients (29%) restored 25(OH)D to normal range; they had lower Child-Pugh score ( P = 0.001), lower TB levels ( P = 0.001), and higher level of phosphorus ( P = 0.003) after treatment. CONCLUSION: Despite an increase in 25(OH)D and decrease in PTH levels, 6000 IU/day of OC was not sufficient to restore 25(OH)D deficiency in most of the patients in this study.

Consecutive Liver and Bone Marrow Transplantation for Erythropoietic Protoporphyria: Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND: Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a rare inherited disease of heme biosynthesis resulting in the accumulation of protoporphyrin, characterized by liver failure in a minority of cases. Although liver transplant (LT) is the therapeutic strategy for advanced hepatic disease, it does not correct the primary defect, which leads to recurrence in liver graft. Thus, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is an approach for treating EPP. METHODS: We aim to describe the first sequential LT and HSCT for EPP performed in Latin America, besides reviewing the present-day literature. RESULTS: The patient, a 13-year-old female with a history of photosensitivity, presented with symptoms of cholestatic and hepatopulmonary syndrome and was diagnosed with EPP. Liver biopsy demonstrated cirrhosis. She was submitted to a successful LT and showed improvement of respiratory symptoms. However, she had disease recurrence on the liver graft. She underwent a myeloablative HSCT using a matched unrelated donor, conditioning with BuCy (busulfan and cyclophosphamide), and GvHD (graft vs. host disease) prophylaxis with ATG (thymoglobulin), tacrolimus and methotrexate. Neutrophil engraftment occurred on D+18. She has presented mixed chimerism, but normalization of PP levels, being 300 days after HSCT, in good state of health and normal liver function. CONCLUSIONS: Consecutive LT and HSCT for EPP is a procedure that has been described in 10 cases in the literature and, even though these patients are a highly diversified population, studies have shown favorable results. This concept of treatment should be considered in patients with established liver disease.

Variability index of tacrolimus serum levels in pediatric liver transplant recipients younger than 12 years: Non-adherence or risk of non-adherence?

MLVI has been used to assess adherence. To determine the MLVI in children <12 years of age at transplantation and to identify demographic correlates and consequences for the graft. This is a retrospective study of 50 outpatients (4.0 ± 3.5 years), at least 13-month post-liver transplantation. The outcomes evaluated were MLVI, ALT > 60 IU/L, ACR, death, and graft loss. We analyzed demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, indication for transplantation, and type of donor. Student's t test and the chi-square test were used. Statistical significance was set at P ≤ .05. Seventy-two percent were infants or preschoolers, 62% biliary atresia. Seventy-four percent of the mothers had middle-school education, and 54% of the families had an income ≤3632.4 US$/y. Twenty-two (44%) patients had a MLVI ≥ 2 SD; this was more prevalent in families with higher incomes (P = .045). ALT levels > 60 IU/L were more common in MLVI ≥ 2 SD group (P = .035). ACR episodes were similar between groups (P = 1.000). No patient died or lost the graft. MLVI ≥ 2 SD may be an indicator of the risk of medication non-adherence.

Neonatal Liver Failure and Congenital Cirrhosis due to Gestational Alloimmune Liver Disease: A Case Report and Literature Review.

Neonatal liver failure (NLF) is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality, presenting as acute liver failure and/or congenital cirrhosis. Many affected patients show antenatal signs of fetal injury. There are several causes of NLF and early diagnosis is mandatory to elucidate the etiology and determine a specific treatment or the best management strategy. Gestational alloimmune liver disease associated with neonatal hemochromatosis (GALD-NH) is a rare but potentially treatable cause of NLF. It should be considered in any neonate with fetal signs of disease and postnatal signs of liver failure with no other identifiable causes. GALD-NH is often diagnosed late and patients are therefore referred late to specialized centers, delaying treatment. This case highlights the consequences of late diagnosis and treatment of GALD-NH and emphasizes the importance of a high grade of suspicion of this disease in order to refer the patient to a specialized center soon enough to perform the appropriate treatment.