Diagnostic accuracy of serum matrix metalloproteinase-7 as a biomarker of biliary atresia in a large North American cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: High levels of serum matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) have been linked to biliary atresia (BA), with wide variation in concentration cutoffs. We investigated the accuracy of serum MMP-7 as a diagnostic biomarker in a large North American cohort. APPROACH AND RESULTS: MMP-7 was measured in serum samples of 399 infants with cholestasis in the Prospective Database of Infants with Cholestasis study of the Childhood Liver Disease Research Network, 201 infants with BA and 198 with non-BA cholestasis (age median: 64 and 59 days, p = 0.94). MMP-7 was assayed on antibody-bead fluorescence (single-plex) and time resolved fluorescence energy transfer assays. The discriminative performance of MMP-7 was compared with other clinical markers. On the single-plex assay, MMP-7 generated an AUROC of 0.90 (CI: 0.87-0.94). At cutoff 52.8 ng/mL, it produced sensitivity = 94.03%, specificity = 77.78%, positive predictive value = 64.46%, and negative predictive value = 96.82% for BA. AUROC for gamma-glutamyl transferase = 0.81 (CI: 0.77-0.86), stool color = 0.68 (CI: 0.63-0.73), and pathology = 0.84 (CI: 0.76-0.91). Logistic regression models of MMP-7 with other clinical variables individually or combined showed an increase for MMP-7+gamma-glutamyl transferase AUROC to 0.91 (CI: 0.88-0.95). Serum concentrations produced by time resolved fluorescence energy transfer differed from single-plex, with an optimal cutoff of 18.2 ng/mL. Results were consistent within each assay technology and generated similar AUROCs. CONCLUSIONS: Serum MMP-7 has high discriminative properties to differentiate BA from other forms of neonatal cholestasis. MMP-7 cutoff values vary according to assay technology. Using MMP-7 in the evaluation of infants with cholestasis may simplify diagnostic algorithms and shorten the time to hepatoportoenterostomy.

Protein biomarkers GDF15 and FGF21 to differentiate mitochondrial hepatopathies from other pediatric liver diseases.

BACKGROUND: Mitochondrial hepatopathies (MHs) are primary mitochondrial genetic disorders that can present as childhood liver disease. No recognized biomarkers discriminate MH from other childhood liver diseases. The protein biomarkers growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) and fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) differentiate mitochondrial myopathies from other myopathies. We evaluated these biomarkers to determine if they discriminate MH from other liver diseases in children. METHODS: Serum biomarkers were measured in 36 children with MH (17 had a genetic diagnosis); 38 each with biliary atresia, α1-antitrypsin deficiency, and Alagille syndrome; 20 with NASH; and 186 controls. RESULTS: GDF15 levels compared to controls were mildly elevated in patients with α1-antitrypsin deficiency, Alagille syndrome, and biliary atresia-young subgroup, but markedly elevated in MH (p<0.001). FGF21 levels were mildly elevated in NASH and markedly elevated in MH (p<0.001). Both biomarkers were higher in patients with MH with a known genetic cause but were similar in acute and chronic presentations. Both markers had a strong performance to identify MH with a molecular diagnosis with the AUC for GDF15 0.93±0.04 and for FGF21 0.90±0.06. Simultaneous elevation of both markers >98th percentile of controls identified genetically confirmed MH with a sensitivity of 88% and specificity of 96%. In MH, independent predictors of survival without requiring liver transplantation were international normalized ratio and either GDF15 or FGF21 levels, with levels <2000 ng/L predicting survival without liver transplantation (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: GDF15 and FGF21 are significantly higher in children with MH compared to other childhood liver diseases and controls and, when combined, were predictive of MH and had prognostic implications.

Immunosuppression-Free Life after Pediatric Liver Transplant: A Case-Control Study from the Society of Pediatric Liver Transplant (SPLIT) Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To compare long-term outcomes of pediatric liver transplant (LT) recipients off immunosuppression (IS) with matched controls on IS using data from the Society of Pediatric Liver Transplant (SPLIT) registry. STUDY DESIGN: This was a retrospective case-control study. SPLIT participants <18 years of age, ≥4 years after isolated LT, and off IS for ≥1 year (cases) were age- and sex-matched 1:2 to patients with the same primary diagnosis and post-LT follow-up duration (controls). Primary outcomes included retransplantation, allograft rejection, IS comorbidities, and prevalence of SPLIT-derived composite ideal outcome (c-IO) achieved at the end of the follow-up period. Differences were compared using multiple linear regression for continuous outcomes and logistic regression for dichotomous data. RESULTS: The study cohort was composed of 33 cases (42.4% male, 60.6% biliary atresia, median age at LT of 0.7 [P25, P75, 0.5, 1.6] years, median IS withdrawal time of 9 [P25, P75, 6, 12] years after LT) and 66 age- and sex-matched controls. No cases required retransplantation. Cases and controls had similar growth parameters, laboratory values, calculated glomerular filtration rates, rates of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disease, graft rejection, and attainment of c-IO. CONCLUSIONS: No differences in allograft rejection rates, IS complications, or c-IO prevalence were seen between SPLIT patients off IS and age- and sex-matched controls remaining on IS. Discontinuation of IS most commonly occurred in the context of rigorously designed IS withdrawal trials. The available sample size was small, affecting generalizability to the broader pediatric LT population.

Immunosuppression minimization is safe and associated with good long-term success in pediatric recipients of liver transplant.

Immunosuppression reduction after liver transplant is an important strategy to mitigate long-term medication side effects. We describe our center's experience with immunosuppression minimization to once-daily calcineurin inhibitor dosing. Success was defined as continuing daily calcineurin inhibitor monotherapy with normal transaminases and no rejection. We performed a retrospective review of eligible children who received a liver transplant between 2009 and 2016, had a surveillance biopsy, and were on twice-daily calcineurin inhibitor monotherapy. Twenty-eight of 51 eligible patients were minimized to daily calcineurin inhibitor with goal 12-hour trough detectable. Nineteen patients (68%) had 1-year success, and 17 (61%) had long-term success at a median follow-up of 5.0 years (interquartile range (IQR): 2.9-6.6). Minimization failure occurred at a median of 0.6 years (IQR: 0.3-1.0) after dose reduction. Patients with long-term success had lower aspartate aminotransferase levels prior to minimization compared to those who failed with a median of 28.0 IU/L (IQR: 20.5-32.0) versus 32.0 IU/L (IQR: 30.0-37.0), p = 0.047. The long-term success group demonstrated a trend toward greater recipients of liver transplant from living donors (53% vs. 18%, p = 0.07). At the time of the last follow-up at a median of 5.0 years (IQR: 2.9-6.1) after surveillance biopsy, most (73%) patients who failed had returned to twice-daily calcineurin inhibitor monotherapy, all had liver enzymes <2 times the upper limit of normal, and there were no patient deaths or graft losses. In conclusion, immunosuppression minimization is safe in pediatric recipients of liver transplant and should be considered to reduce long-term medication side effects and improve patient quality of life. Future studies are necessary to follow long-term outcomes and develop biomarkers to predict minimization success.

Sarcopenia is associated with osteopenia and impaired quality of life in children with genetic intrahepatic cholestatic liver disease.

BACKGROUND: Sarcopenia occurs in pediatric chronic liver disease, although the prevalence and contributing factors in genetic intrahepatic cholestasis are not well-described. The objective of this study was to measure muscle mass in school-aged children with genetic intrahepatic cholestasis and assess relationships between sarcopenia, clinical variables, and outcomes. METHODS: Estimated skeletal muscle mass (eSMM) was calculated on dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry obtained in a Childhood Liver Disease Research Network study of children with bile acid synthesis disorders(BASD) alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (a1ATd), chronic intrahepatic cholestasis (CIC), and Alagille syndrome (ALGS). Relationships between eSMM, liver disease, and transplant-free survival were assessed. RESULTS: eSMM was calculated in 127 participants (5-18 y): 12 BASD, 41 a1ATd, 33 CIC, and 41 ALGS. eSMM z-score was lower in CIC (-1.6 ± 1.3) and ALGS (-2.1 ± 1.0) than BASD (-0.1 ± 1.1) and a1ATd (-0.5 ± 0.8, p < 0.001). Sarcopenia (defined as eSMM z-score ≤- 2) was present in 33.3% of CIC and 41.5% of ALGS participants. eSMM correlated with bone mineral density in the 4 disease groups (r=0.52-0.55, p < 0.001-0.07), but not serum bile acids, bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase/platelet ratio index, or clinically evident portal hypertension. Of the 2 patients who died (1 with sarcopenia) and 18 who underwent liver transplant (LT, 4 with sarcopenia), eSMM z-score did not predict transplant-free survival. eSMM z-score correlated with the Physical Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory score (r=0.38-0.53, p = 0.007-0.04) in CIC and a1ATd. CONCLUSION: Severe sarcopenia occurs in some children with ALGS and CIC. The lack of correlation between eSMM and biochemical cholestasis suggests mechanisms beyond cholestasis contribute to sarcopenia. While sarcopenia did not predict transplant-free survival, LT and death were infrequent events. Future studies may define mechanisms of sarcopenia in genetic intrahepatic cholestasis.

Effector memory CD8 T-cells as a novel peripheral blood biomarker for activated T-cell pediatric acute liver failure.

A distinct phenotype of pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) has been identified, labeled activated T-cell hepatitis. These patients, previously included within the indeterminate group, have evidence of systemic immune activation and liver biopsy specimens with dense infiltration of CD8+ T-cells. We aimed to evaluate the peripheral blood T-cell phenotype in PALF patients with activated T-cell hepatitis compared to indeterminate cause. PALF patients with unknown etiology age 1-17 years were prospectively enrolled between 2017-2020. Within the unknown group, patients were classified as either activated T-cell hepatitis if they had a liver biopsy with dense or moderate CD8 staining and an elevated soluble interleukin-2 receptor level, or they were classified as indeterminate if they did not meet these criteria. Whole blood was collected for flow cytometry and T-cell phenotyping. Four patients with activated T-cell hepatitis and 4 patients with indeterminate PALF were enrolled. Activated T-cell hepatitis patients had significantly greater percentage of CD8 T-cells that were effector memory (TEM) phenotype compared to indeterminate PALF patients (median 66.8% (IQR 57.4-68.7) vs 19.1% (IQR 13.4-25.2), P = 0.03). In addition, CD8+ TEM cells in activated T-cell hepatitis patients were significantly more likely to be CD103 positive, a marker of tissue resident memory T-cells, compared to indeterminate PALF patients (median 12.4% (IQR 9.5-14.7) vs 4.7% (IQR 4.5-5.3), P = 0.03). We found patients with activated T-cell hepatitis can be identified by the unique pattern of increased percentage of peripheral blood effector memory CD8+ CD103+ T-cells. These findings will guide future studies exploring the T-cell phenotype for these patients and whether they may respond to directed immunosuppressive therapies.

Adenovirus is Not Detected in Liver Tissue From a Historical Multicenter Cohort of Children With Acute Liver Failure.

There has been a recent surge in cases of pediatric acute hepatitis and pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) of unknown cause. Several reports have described clusters of these children who were positive for adenovirus (AdV) DNA, primarily in peripheral blood but some in liver tissue. We tested archived liver tissue specimens from a historical cohort of 44 children with PALF who were enrolled in a multicenter biorepository between 2007 and 2014 for AdV 40/41 using quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Most children had final diagnosis indeterminate. All samples were negative. Our findings suggest that AdV was unlikely to be an unidentified cause of indeterminate PALF during this past era. The significance of AdV viremia in contemporary cohorts of children with PALF remains unknown and requires further study.

Clinical spectrum and genetic causes of mitochondrial hepatopathy phenotype in children.

BACKGROUND: Alterations in both mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA genes affect mitochondria function, causing a range of liver-based conditions termed mitochondrial hepatopathies (MH), which are subcategorized as mtDNA depletion, RNA translation, mtDNA deletion, and enzymatic disorders. We aim to enhance the understanding of pathogenesis and natural history of MH. METHODS: We analyzed data from patients with MH phenotypes to identify genetic causes, characterize the spectrum of clinical presentation, and determine outcomes. RESULTS: Three enrollment phenotypes, that is, acute liver failure (ALF, n = 37), chronic liver disease (Chronic, n = 40), and post-liver transplant (n = 9), were analyzed. Patients with ALF were younger [median 0.8 y (range, 0.0, 9.4) vs 3.4 y (0.2, 18.6), p < 0.001] with fewer neurodevelopmental delays (40.0% vs 81.3%, p < 0.001) versus Chronic. Comprehensive testing was performed more often in Chronic than ALF (90.0% vs 43.2%); however, etiology was identified more often in ALF (81.3% vs 61.1%) with mtDNA depletion being most common (ALF: 77% vs Chronic: 41%). Of the sequenced cohort (n = 60), 63% had an identified mitochondrial disorder. Cluster analysis identified a subset without an underlying genetic etiology, despite comprehensive testing. Liver transplant-free survival was 40% at 2 years (ALF vs Chronic, 16% vs 65%, p < 0.001). Eighteen (21%) underwent transplantation. With 33 patient-years of follow-up after the transplant, 3 deaths were reported. CONCLUSIONS: Differences between ALF and Chronic MH phenotypes included age at diagnosis, systemic involvement, transplant-free survival, and genetic etiology, underscoring the need for ultra-rapid sequencing in the appropriate clinical setting. Cluster analysis revealed a group meeting enrollment criteria but without an identified genetic or enzymatic diagnosis, highlighting the need to identify other etiologies.

Heterogeneous liver on research ultrasound identifies children with cystic fibrosis at high risk of advanced liver disease.

BACKGROUND: This study examines whether heterogeneous (HTG) pattern on liver ultrasound (US) identifies children at risk for advanced cystic fibrosis liver disease (aCFLD). METHODS: Prospective 6-year multicenter case-controlled cohort study. Children with pancreatic insufficient cystic fibrosis (CF) aged 3-12 years without known cirrhosis underwent screening US. Participants with HTG were matched (by age, Pseudomonas infection status and center) 1:2 with participants with normal (NL) US pattern. Clinical status and laboratory data were obtained annually and US bi-annually for 6 years. Primary endpoint was development of nodular (NOD) US pattern consistent with aCFLD. RESULTS: 722 participants underwent screening US, with 65 HTG and 592 NL. Final cohort included 55 HTG and 116 NL with ≥ 1 follow-up US. ALT, AST, GGTP, FIB-4, GPR and APRI were higher, and platelets were lower in HTG compared to NL. HTG had a 9.5-fold increased incidence (95% confidence interval [CI]:3.4, 26.7, p<0.0001, 32.7% vs 3.4%) of NOD versus NL. HTG had a sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 75% for subsequent NOD. Negative predictive value of a NL US for subsequent NOD was 96%. Multivariate logistic prediction model that included baseline US, age, and log(GPR) improved the C-index to 0.90 compared to only baseline US (C-index 0.78). Based on survival analysis, 50% of HTG develop NOD after 8 years. CONCLUSIONS: Research US finding of HTG identifies children with CF with a 30-50% risk for aCFLD. A score based on US pattern, age and GPR may refine the identification of individuals at high risk for aCFLD. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Prospective Study of Ultrasound to Predict Hepatic Cirrhosis in CF: NCT 01,144,507 (observational study, no consort checklist).

Acute-on-chronic liver failure before liver transplantation does not impact post-transplant survival in children with biliary atresia.

Acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) occurs in children with biliary atresia (BA) awaiting liver transplantation (LT). However, data on transplant outcomes in ACLF are limited. Our aim was to characterize ACLF and determine its effect on transplant outcome and resource utilization. Using a linkage of the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and Pediatric Health Information System, we identified children with BA between 3 months and 18 years at the time of listing who received a transplant from 2003 to 2018 and were hospitalized while waiting. ACLF was defined by the presence of at least 1 extra-hepatic organ failure during a pre-LT hospitalization. In all, 1044 patients (58% female, median age at listing 7.0 months IQR 5.0-14.0) were included. Thirty-four percent (351/1044) of the patients had at least 1 ACLF hospitalization. Patients with ACLF had longer waitlist times (114 [54-231] vs. 81 [35-181] days, p < 0.001), and were more likely to be listed as Status 1 (8% vs. 4%, p = 0.02). Pre-LT resource utilization was significantly higher in ACLF patients. There were no differences in mortality at 30 days (ACLF 3% vs. No ACLF 2%, p = 0.17), 90 days (ACLF 3% vs. No ACLF 2%, p = 0.24), 1 year (ACLF 3% vs. No ACLF 2%, p =0.23), 3 years (ACLF 4% vs. No ACLF 3%, p = 0.58), or 5 years (ACLF 5% vs. No ACLF 4%, p = 0.38) after LT. ACLF status was not associated with increased post-transplant mortality (adjusted HR 1.51, 95% CI 0.76-3.0, p =0.25). ACLF is an important morbidity in children with BA awaiting LT as it is associated with higher resource utilization and longer waitlist times. Further studies are needed to help understand the spectrum of ACLF and better prioritize critically ill children awaiting LT, as our study shows successful post-LT outcomes in children with BA and ACLF.

Neonates with acute liver failure have higher overall mortality but similar posttransplant outcomes as older infants.

Neonatal acute liver failure (ALF) carries a high mortality rate; however, little data exist on its peritransplant hospital course. This project aimed to identify factors associated with outcomes in neonates with ALF using large multicenter databases. Patients with International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision/International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision codes for liver failure (2004-2018) from linked Pediatric Health Information System and Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients databases were assigned to two groups: neonates aged ≤30 days or older infants aged 31-120 days at admission. Billing data were used to assign diagnoses and assess patient comorbidities (sepsis, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, total parenteral nutrition, intensive care unit, and cardiac/renal/respiratory failure). Statistical analysis included Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis and univariate and multivariate analyses with the Cox proportional hazards model. We identified 1807 neonates and 890 older infants. Neonates had significantly lower survival to 90 days ( p = 0.04) and a lower rate of liver transplantation (2.0% vs. 6.4%; p < 0.001). Common risk factors associated with death or transplant were present between groups: diagnosis, respiratory failure, cardiac failure, and renal failure. Among neonates versus older infants who received a transplant, there was no significant differences in posttransplant lengths of stay (median 38 vs. 32 days; p = 0.53), posttransplant mortality (15% vs. 11%; p = 0.66), or graft loss (9.7% vs. 8.1%; p = 0.82). We present the largest multicenter study on peritransplant outcomes in neonatal ALF and show similar risk factors for death or transplant in neonates compared with older infants. Despite lower transplantation rates, neonates demonstrate similar posttransplant outcomes as older infants. Further studies are needed to better risk stratify neonates eligible for transplant and improve outcomes.

Long-term follow-up and liver outcomes in children with cystic fibrosis and nodular liver on ultrasound in a multi-center study.

BACKGROUND: Nodular liver (NOD) in cystic fibrosis (CF) suggests advanced CF liver disease (aCFLD); little is known about progression of liver disease (LD) after detection of sonographic NOD. METHODS: Clinical, laboratory, and ultrasound (US) data from Prediction by Ultrasound of the Risk of Hepatic Cirrhosis in CFLD Study participants with NOD at screening or follow-up were compared with normal (NL). Linear mixed effects models were used for risk factors for LD progression and Kaplan-Meier estimator for time-to-event. RESULTS: 54 children with NOD (22 screening, 32 follow-up) and 112 NL were evaluated. Baseline (BL) and trajectory of forced expiratory volume, forced vital capacity, height/BMI z-scores were similar in NOD vs NL. Platelets were lower in NOD at BL (250 vs 331×103/microL; p < 0.001) and decreased by 8600/year vs 2500 in NL. Mean AST to Platelet Ratio Index (1.1 vs 0.4; p < 0.001), Fibrosis-4 Index (0.4 vs 0.2, p < 0.001), and spleen size z-score (SSZ) [1.5 vs 0.02; p < 0.001] were higher in NOD at BL; SSZ increased by 0.5 unit/year in NOD vs 0.1 unit/year in NL. Median liver stiffness (LSM) by transient elastography was higher in NOD (8.2 kPa, IQR 6-11.8) vs NL (5.3, 4.2-7, p < 0.0001). Over 6.3 years follow-up (1.3-10.3), 6 NOD had esophageal varices (cumulative incidence in 10 years: 20%; 95% CI: 0.0%, 40.0%), 2 had variceal bleeding, and 2 underwent liver transplantation; none had ascites or hepatic encephalopathy. No NL experienced liver-related events. CONCLUSIONS: NOD developed clinically evident portal hypertension faster than NL without worse growth or lung disease.

Serum biomarkers correlated with liver stiffness assessed in a multicenter study of pediatric cholestatic liver disease.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Detailed investigation of the biological pathways leading to hepatic fibrosis and identification of liver fibrosis biomarkers may facilitate early interventions for pediatric cholestasis. APPROACH AND RESULTS: A targeted enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay-based panel of nine biomarkers (lysyl oxidase, tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 1, connective tissue growth factor [CTGF], IL-8, endoglin, periostin, Mac-2-binding protein, MMP-3, and MMP-7) was examined in children with biliary atresia (BA; n = 187), alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (A1AT; n = 78), and Alagille syndrome (ALGS; n = 65) and correlated with liver stiffness (LSM) and biochemical measures of liver disease. Median age and LSM were 9 years and 9.5 kPa. After adjusting for covariates, there were positive correlations among LSM and endoglin ( p = 0.04) and IL-8 ( p < 0.001) and MMP-7 ( p < 0.001) in participants with BA. The best prediction model for LSM in BA using clinical and lab measurements had an R2 = 0.437; adding IL-8 and MMP-7 improved R2 to 0.523 and 0.526 (both p < 0.0001). In participants with A1AT, CTGF and LSM were negatively correlated ( p = 0.004); adding CTGF to an LSM prediction model improved R2 from 0.524 to 0.577 ( p = 0.0033). Biomarkers did not correlate with LSM in ALGS. A significant number of biomarker/lab correlations were found in participants with BA but not those with A1AT or ALGS. CONCLUSIONS: Endoglin, IL-8, and MMP-7 significantly correlate with increased LSM in children with BA, whereas CTGF inversely correlates with LSM in participants with A1AT; these biomarkers appear to enhance prediction of LSM beyond clinical tests. Future disease-specific investigations of change in these biomarkers over time and as predictors of clinical outcomes will be important.

Serum bile acids as a prognostic biomarker in biliary atresia following Kasai portoenterostomy.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In biliary atresia, serum bilirubin is commonly used to predict outcomes after Kasai portoenterostomy (KP). Infants with persistently high levels invariably need liver transplant, but those achieving normalized levels have a less certain disease course. We hypothesized that serum bile acid levels could help predict outcomes in the latter group. APPROACH AND RESULTS: Participants with biliary atresia from the Childhood Liver Disease Research Network were included if they had normalized bilirubin levels 6 months after KP and stored serum samples from the 6-month post-KP clinic visit ( n  = 137). Bile acids were measured from the stored serum samples and used to divide participants into ≤40 µmol/L ( n  = 43) or >40 µmol/L ( n  = 94) groups. At 2 years of age, the ≤40 µmol/L compared with >40 µmol/L group had significantly lower total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, bile acids, and spleen size, as well as significantly higher albumin and platelet counts. Furthermore, during 734 person-years of follow-up, those in the ≤40 µmol/L group were significantly less likely to develop splenomegaly, ascites, gastrointestinal bleeding, or clinically evident portal hypertension. The ≤40 µmol/L group had a 10-year cumulative incidence of liver transplant/death of 8.5% (95% CI: 1.1%-26.1%), compared with 42.9% (95% CI: 28.6%-56.4%) for the >40 µmol/L group ( p  = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Serum bile acid levels may be a useful prognostic biomarker for infants achieving normalized bilirubin levels after KP.

RNA-Sequencing Analysis Identifies Etiology Specific Transcriptional Signatures in Neonatal Acute Liver Failure.

OBJECTIVE: To assess hepatic transcriptional signatures in infants with gestational alloimmune liver disease (GALD) compared with other etiologies of neonatal acute liver failure (ALF) and older pediatric patients with ALF. STUDY DESIGN: Neonates with ALF (international normalized ratio ≥2 within 30 days of life) and deceased neonates without liver disease (<30 days of age) with available liver tissue between 2010 and 2021 were identified at Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. Clinical information, liver histology, and data from RNA-sequencing analysis was compared between neonates with GALD, non-GALD etiologies of neonatal ALF, and nondiseased neonatal liver. RESULTS: Quantification of trichrome staining showed an increase in fibrosis in patients with GALD vs those with non-GALD neonatal ALF (P = .012); however, quantification of α-cytokeratin 19-positive ductules did not differ between groups (P = .244). Gene set enrichment analysis of RNA-sequencing data identified the pathways of complement activation, fibrosis, and organogenesis to be upregulated in patients with GALD with ALF. In contrast, patients with non-GALD causes of neonatal ALF had increased gene expression for interferon-driven immune pathways. Individual genes upregulated in GALD included matrix metallopeptidase 7, hepatocyte growth factor, and chemokine ligand 14. CONCLUSIONS: We have identified distinct pathways that are significantly upregulated in patients with GALD and potential disease-specific diagnostic biomarkers. Future studies will aim to validate these findings and help identify GALD-specific diagnostic biomarkers to improve diagnostic accuracy and reduce GALD-associated patient mortality.

Health-related Quality of Life in a Prospective Study of Ultrasound to Detect Cystic Fibrosis-related Liver Disease in Children.

OBJECTIVES: Cystic fibrosis liver disease (CFLD) begins early in life. Symptoms may be vague, mild, or nonexistent. Progressive liver injury may be associated with decrements in patient health before liver disease is clinically apparent. We examined Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQOL) in children enrolled in a multi-center study of CFLD to determine the impact of early CFLD on general and disease-specific QOL. METHODS: Ultrasound (US) patterns of normal (NL), heterogeneous (HTG), homogeneous (HMG), or nodular (NOD) were assigned in a prospective manner to predict those at risk for advanced CFLD. Parents were informed of results. We assessed parent/child-reported (age ≥5 years) HRQOL by PedsQL 4.0 Generic Core and CF Questionnaire-revised (CFQ-R) prior to US and annually. HRQOL scores were compared by US pattern at baseline (prior to US), between baseline and 1 year and at 5 years. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with Hotelling-Lawley trace tested for differences among US groups. RESULTS: Prior to US, among 515 participants and their parents there was no evidence that HTG or NOD US was associated with reduced PedsQL/CFQ-R at baseline. Parents of NOD reported no change in PedsQL/CFQ-R over the next year. Child-report PedsQL/CFQ-R (95 NL, 20 NOD) showed improvement between baseline and year 5 for many scales, including Physical Function. Parents of HMG children reported improved CFQ-R scores related to weight. CONCLUSIONS: Early undiagnosed or pre-symptomatic liver disease had no impact on generic or disease-specific HRQoL, and HRQoL was remarkably stable in children with CF regardless of liver involvement.

An Update on Pediatric Acute Liver Failure: Emerging Understanding of the Impact of Immune Dysregulation and Novel Opportunities for Intervention.

Pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) is a complex, unpredictable, often rapidly progressive, potentially devastating clinical syndrome that occurs in infants, children, and adolescents without pre-existing liver disease. PALF is characterized by acute onset of hepatocellular injury and liver-based coagulopathy, frequently accompanied by hepatic encephalopathy. Etiologies include drug and toxin exposures, metabolic and genetic disorders, infections, and immune-mediated disease. PALF management primarily involves early contact with and consideration of transfer to a pediatric liver transplant center and intensive supportive multidisciplinary clinical care, with targeted therapies available for a subset of causes. Outcomes include survival with native liver, death, and liver transplantation. Efforts to develop reliable clinical prognostic tools to predict PALF outcomes early in the course of disease have not yet been fulfilled, and the possibility remains that some transplanted PALF patients might have survived without transplantation.

Fat Soluble Vitamin Assessment and Supplementation in Cholestasis.

Malnutrition in children with chronic cholestasis is a prevalent issue and a major risk factor for adverse outcomes. Fat soluble vitamin (FSV) deficiency is an integral feature of cholestatic disease in children, often occurring within the first months of life in those with neonatal cholestasis and malnutrition. This review focuses on FSVs in cholestasis, with particular emphasis on a practical approach to surveillance and supplementation that includes approaches that account for differing local resources. The overarching strategy suggested is to incorporate recognition of FSV deficiencies in cholestatic children in order to develop practical plans for close monitoring and aggressive FSV repletion. Routine attention to FSV assessment and supplementation in cholestatic infants will reduce long periods of inadequate levels and subsequent adverse clinical sequalae.

Acceptability of an mHealth Family Self-management Intervention (myFAMI) for Pediatric Transplantation Families: Qualitative Focus.

BACKGROUND: Around 1800 pediatric transplantations were performed in 2021, which is approximately 5% of the annual rate of solid organ transplantations carried out in the United States. Effective family self-management in the transition from hospital to home-based recovery promotes successful outcomes of transplantation. The use of mHealth to deliver self-management interventions is a strategy that can be used to support family self-management for transplantation recipients and their families. OBJECTIVE: The study aims to evaluate the acceptability of an mHealth intervention (myFAMI) that combined use of a smartphone app with triggered nurse communication with family members of pediatric transplantation recipients. METHODS: This is a secondary analysis of qualitative data from family members who received the myFAMI intervention within a larger randomized controlled trial. Eligible participants used the app in the 30-day time frame after discharge and participated in a 30-day postdischarge telephone interview. Content analysis was used to generate themes. RESULTS: A total of 4 key themes were identified: (1) general acceptance, (2) positive interactions, (3) home management after hospital discharge, and (4) opportunities for improvement. CONCLUSIONS: Acceptability of the intervention was high. Family members rated the smartphone application as easy to use. myFAMI allowed the opportunity for families to feel connected to and engage with the medical team while in their home environment. Family members valued and appreciated ongoing support and education specifically in this first 30 days after their child's hospital discharge and many felt it contributed positively to the management of their child's medical needs at home. Family members provided recommendations for future refinement of the app and some suggested that a longer follow-up period would be beneficial. The development and refinement of mHealth care delivery strategies hold potential for improving outcomes for solid organ transplantation patients and their families and as a model to consider in other chronic illness populations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03533049; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03533049.