(1) Background and Aim: Despite excellent long-term results in pediatric liver transplantation (pLTx), mortality and graft loss still are to be diminished. We aim to describe time-dependent changes and long-term outcome of a large single-center pLTx cohort and to identify independent recipient-related risk factors impairing patient and graft survival. (2) Methods: This is a retrospective single-center study analyzing all pediatric liver transplants from 1983–2020. Risk factors for mortality and graft loss were identified by univariable and multi-linear regression analysis. (3) Results: We analyzed 858 liver transplantations in 705 pediatric patients. Five-year patient/graft survival increased from 60.9%/48.0% (1983–1992) to 97.5%/86.5% (OR = 12.5; p < 0.0001/OR = 6.5; p < 0.0001) (2014–2020). Indications changed significantly over time, with a higher proportion of patients being transplanted for malignancies and metabolic disease and indications of PFIC and α1AT-deficiency declining. The era of transplantation (log7.378/9.657; p < 0.0001) and indication of acute liver failure (log = 1.944/2.667; HR = 2.015/1.772; p = 0.0114/0.002) impairs patient/graft survival significantly in the multivariate analysis. Furthermore, patient survival is worsened by re-transplantation (log = 1.755; HR = 1.744; p = 0.0176) and prolonged waiting times in high-urgency status (log = 2.588; HR = 1.073; p = 0.0026), whereas the indication of biliary atresia improved outcome (log = 1.502; HR = 0.575; p = 0.0315). Graft survival was additionally impaired by pre-existing portal vein thrombosis (log = 1.482; HR = 2.016; p = 0.0330). (4) Conclusions: Despite more complex indications, patient and graft survival after pLTx continue to improve.. Acute liver failure remains the indication with poorest outcome, and listing for high urgency liver transplantation should be considered carefully and early to keep waiting time on HU list short. Furthermore, pre-transplant portal vein thrombosis should be prevented whenever possible to improve graft survival.
Familial intrahepatic cholestasis 1 (FIC1) disease is a genetic disorder characterized by hepatic and gastrointestinal disease due to ATP8B1 deficiency, often requiring liver transplantation (LT). Extrahepatic symptoms, such as diarrhea, malabsorption, and failure to thrive, do not improve and instead may be aggravated after LT. We describe a patient with FIC1 disease who underwent LT at 2 years, 8 months of age. After LT, the child developed severe refractory diarrhea and failed to thrive. The response to bile acid resins was unsatisfactory, and the parents declined our recommendation for partial external biliary diversion (PEBD). Quality of life was extremely impaired, especially due to severe diarrhea, making school attendance impossible. Attempting to reduce the total bile acids, we initiated off-label use of the ileal bile acid transporter (IBAT) inhibitor Elobixibat (Goofice™), later converted to Odevixibat (Bylvay™). After six months of treatment, the patient showed less stool output, increased weight and height, and improved physical energy levels. The child could now pursue higher undergraduate education. In our patient with FIC1 disease, the use of IBAT inhibitors was effective in treating chronic diarrhea and failure to thrive. This approach is novel; further investigations are needed to clarify the exact mode of action in this condition.
About Me
Pediatrician in Hannover medical school. Gastroenterology.
Pediatrician in Hannover medical school. Gastroenterology.