巴利昔单抗对儿童肝移植受者的有效性及安全性评价

目的 本研究评价儿童肝移植术后早期巴利昔单抗的有效性及安全性.方法 采用回顾性的对照研究方法,将2014年1月1日至2015年12月31日天津第一中心医院实施的儿童肝移植手术256例,按照入选和排除标准筛选后,137例受者使用巴利昔单抗免疫诱导及两联(甲强龙+他克莫司)抗排斥治疗(巴利昔单抗组),84例受者仅接受常规两联(甲强龙+他克莫司)治疗(对照组),比较两组机会感染、排斥反应的发生率和术后3个月内(术后第7天、第14天、第21天、第28天、第56天、第84天)血细胞的变化情况.结果 巴利息单抗组和对照组分别有44例和23例发生了机会感染,机会感染发生率差异无统计学意义(32.8％比27.4％,P＞0.05);巴利昔单抗组与对照组分别有12例和12发生了排斥反应,排斥反应发生率差异没有统计学意义(8.3％比14.3％,P＞0.05),两组白细胞水平、红细胞水平、血小板水平、血红蛋白水平差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 儿童肝移植受者使用巴利昔单抗进行免疫诱导治疗,没有减少排斥反应的发生,机会感染的发生率也没有增加,巴利昔单抗对血细胞未见明显影响,可以安全的用于儿童患者.     

儿童嗜酸细胞性胃肠炎2例分析并文献复习

目的探讨儿童嗜酸细胞性胃肠炎的临床病理特点、治疗及预后。方法回顾性分析2例儿童嗜酸细胞性胃肠炎的临床表现、实验室检查、内镜病理结果、治疗经过及预后,并结合文献复习进行分析。结果 2例患儿发病年龄分别为13岁、14岁,例1为男性患儿,以急性胰腺炎起病,例2为女性患儿,有食物过敏史,以不明原因腹水起病;2例患儿外周血嗜酸性粒细胞比例均显著升高(45.9%~64.8%),血清IgE均明显升高(246~393 IU/ml);2例患儿的骨髓细胞学检查均提示嗜酸性粒细胞比例增加;例1行胃镜、例2行胃镜和肠镜,内镜检查均提示胃肠道黏膜慢性炎症,例1病理活检提示十二指肠黏膜嗜酸性粒细胞浸润,例2病理活检提示胃肠道多处黏膜嗜酸性粒细胞浸润。2例患儿经食物回避、激素抗炎及抗过敏等综合治疗1周左右病情均明显缓解,复查血常规嗜酸性粒细胞均降至正常,例1随访24个月,例2随访2个月,病情均未见反复。结论儿童嗜酸细胞性胃肠炎临床表现及内镜所见缺乏特异性,不明原因的胃肠道症状伴外周血、骨髓嗜酸性粒细胞比例升高时应考虑到该病可能,腹水及内镜黏膜活检见嗜酸性粒细胞浸润,排除其他可能的疾病则可明确诊断。     

不同严重程度支气管哮喘儿童诱导痰IL-17含量及炎症细胞百分比变化

目的 探讨不同严重程度支气管哮喘儿童诱导痰中白细胞介素(IL)-17的含量及中性粒细胞和嗜酸性粒细胞的百分比变化,揭示IL-17参与哮喘发病的可能机制.方法 将40例急性发作期哮喘儿童依据哮喘严重度分为中重度组16例,轻度组24例,并选择健康体检儿童20例为正常对照组,检测所有儿童诱导痰中IL-17的含量和沉渣涂片中中性粒细胞和嗜酸性粒细胞的百分比.结果 中重度组、轻度组和正常对照组的诱导痰中IL-17的含量分别是(1.096±0.664) ng/L、(0.474±0.240) ng/L、(0.227±0.360) ng/L,中性粒细胞百分比分别是(55.359±12.486)％、(44.476±17.708)％、( 36.493±12.470)％,嗜酸性粒细胞百分比分别是(1.252±2.025)％、(4.107±3.234)％、(1.409±3.480)％,三组比较差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05).中重度组患儿中性粒细胞百分比与IL-17含量呈正相关(r =0.740,P=0.049),轻度组患儿中性粒细胞百分比与IL-17含量呈负相关(r=-0.764,P =0.000).结论 不同严重程度哮喘儿童IL-17含量、中性粒细胞和嗜酸性粒细胞百分比不同,IL-17参与了儿童哮喘的部分发病机制.     

儿童心脏死亡器官捐献供肝移植术后早期肝动脉血栓危险因素分析

目的 分析儿童心脏死亡器官捐献(DCD)供肝肝移植术后早期肝动脉血栓(Hepatic artery thrombosis,HAT)发生的危险因素.方法 收集天津市第一中心医院2013年2月至2015年4月施行的48例儿童DCD肝移植手术的临床资料,回顾分析临床因素对受者早期HAT的影响.结果 48例不区分年龄的儿童DCD肝移植受者术后共8例发生早期HAT,发生率为16.6％.其单因素分析显示HAT组与对照组间的术前Cr(P=0.043)、Child Pugh评分(P=0.041)、热缺血时间(P=0.022)、受体性别(P=0.045)的差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),多因素分析显示热缺血时间(P=0.03)、受体性别(P=0.039)是其术后早期HAT的独立危险因素.48例患儿中≤1岁的儿童有33例,其中6例发生早期HAT,发生率为18.2％.对其进行单因素分析显示HAT组与对照组间的受体年龄(P=0.045)、受体性别(P=0.013)、受体身高(P=0.034)、术前Cr(P=0.034)、术前TB(P=0.015)、Child-Pugh评分(P=0.007)、热缺血时间(P=0.001)的差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05),多因素分析显示热缺血时间(P=0.015)、受体身高(P=0.016)是其术后早期HAT的独立危险因素.结论 HAT仍然是儿童DCD肝移植术后的重要难题,对供者、受者的选择以及对供肝获取和植入技术的深入研究将会有助于降低儿童DCD供肝肝移植术后早期HAT发生的概率.     

儿童嗜酸性粒细胞增多症15例临床分析

目的 探讨嗜酸性粒细胞增多症的病因、临床表现、诊断和转归,提高对儿童嗜酸性粒细胞增多症的认识.方法 回顾性分析2001年4月-2007年4月住院的15例嗜酸性粒细胞增多症患儿的临床资料.结果 病因主要为变态反应性疾病(4例)、恶性肿瘤(4例)、感染性疾病(寄生虫感染3例,病毒感染1例)、药物反应(2例),原因不明1例;临床表现多为发热(86.7%)、乏力(46.7%)、咳嗽(40.0%)、浅表淋巴结及肝脾肿大(53.3%);除恶性肿瘤外,经治疗多数预后良好.结论 儿童嗜酸性粒细胞增多症以继发性为主,多见于变态反应性疾病、恶性肿瘤、寄生虫感染;对嗜酸性粒细胞增多患儿需进行全身各系统评估,寻找病因,警惕肿瘤,予以积极病因治疗.     

诱导痰液细胞学分析在儿童支气管哮喘临床分型中的应用

目的拟通过痰液细胞学分析探讨儿童哮喘的临床亚型。方法选择急性发作期哮喘患儿46例,缓解期哮喘患儿33例。其中轻度至中度哮喘56例,重度哮喘23例。将急性发作期哮喘分为未规则治疗组(33例)和规则治疗组(13例)。健康对照组18例。常规检测肺功能、外周血嗜酸性粒细胞(EOS)计数(%)、诱导痰液细胞百分比(%),并行皮肤过敏原试验。结果1.以痰液EOS%≥2%为准将哮喘患儿分为嗜酸细胞性哮喘(EA)和非嗜酸细胞性哮喘(NEA)2个亚型,79例患儿中EA和NEA分别为40例(50.63%)和39例(49.37%)。2.EOS%≥2%在急性发作期未规则治疗组和急性发作期规则治疗组分别为21例(63.6%)、9例(69.2%),2组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),但显著高于缓解期[10例(30.3%)](Pa<0.05)。3.轻度发作未规则治疗组患儿中性粒细胞百分比(NEU%)≥61%、EOS%≥2%、NEU%<61%+EOS%<2%的例数分别为7例(38.9%)、10例(55.6%)、4例(22.2%),轻度发作期规则治疗组分别为2例(22.2%)、6例(66.6%)、3例(33.3%),2组比较差异无统计学...     

儿童器官捐献婴儿肝移植术后早期肝动脉侧支循环的临床研究

目的 总结儿童器官捐献婴儿肝移植术后早期肝动脉侧支循环形成的临床特点,初步探讨发生该现象的潜在因素.方法 回顾性分析我院2013年12月至2015年12月的儿童器官捐献婴儿肝移植共49例,15例术后早期发生移植肝动脉闭塞,其中2例术后1周内死亡的受者被剔除出本研究,搜集其余13例受者的所有临床资料,分析该组病例术后的临床过程及预后.结果 儿童器官捐献婴儿肝移植术后早期肝内动脉分支闭塞9例,肝动脉主干闭塞4例,闭塞发生时间为术后(4.7±1.8)d.肝动脉分支闭塞组的9例患儿于闭塞发生后(9.7±5.3)d肝内动脉血流恢复;肝动脉主干闭塞组的4例患儿于闭塞发生后的(9.8±3.2)d出现肝内动脉侧支循环,于闭塞发生后的(20.0±5.0)d出现肝门部的动脉侧支循环.随访结果,有4例患儿术后发生胆道并发症,每组各2例,肝动脉主干闭塞组的1例行二次肝移植,余3例接受经皮肝穿刺胆道引流及球囊扩张治疗,移植肝功能基本正常.结论 肝动脉分支闭塞是儿童器官捐献婴儿肝移植术后早期肝动脉闭塞的主要类型.发生肝动脉主干闭塞的患儿均能在短期内建立代偿性侧支循环,对于远期可能发生的胆道并发症注意密切监测,及时治疗,长期临床预后有待进一步观察.     

发热危险度评分在门诊无明显感染灶发热婴幼儿中的应用研究

目的评估发热危险度评分对指导门诊处理无明显感染灶急性发热儿童的临床价值。方法根据发热时间、生活状况、每日退热药应用次数、毛细血管再充盈时间、外周血白细胞计数、中性粒细胞计数、C反应蛋白值建立发热危险度评分表,前瞻性评估并随访体温≥38℃无明显感染灶的3个月~5岁急性发热儿童839例,计算该评分的灵敏度、特异度及阳性和阴性预测值。结果 839例患儿中发热危险度评分0分者94例,均无严重疾病,皆居家治疗,其中使用口服抗生素24例(25.54%);评分1~3分者474例,诊断严重疾病141例,留观或住院治疗112例(23.63%),其中使用抗生素248例(52.32%);评分≥4分者271例,诊断严重疾病167例,危重症17例,全部住院或留观治疗,其中使用抗生素250例(92.25%)。0~3分组和≥4分组严重疾病发生率、抗生素使用率差异均有统计学意义(P均0.01)。发热危险度评分≥1分对严重疾病的诊断灵敏度为100%,特异度17.70%,阴性预测值100%,阳性预测值41.34%;评分≥4分对严重疾病的诊断灵敏度为100%,特异度69.10%,阴性预测值100%,阳性预测值6.27%。结论发热危险度评分可为门诊3个月~5岁无明显感染灶急性发热儿童的病情判断提供参考。     

新生儿嗜酸性粒细胞增多

目的　探讨新生儿嗜酸性粒细胞增多的原因 ,评价新生儿嗜酸性粒细胞增多的临床特征。方法　对 2 4例新生儿嗜酸性粒细胞增多患儿 ,监测血嗜酸性粒细胞计数 ,检测Ig系列 ,详细记录患儿入院后情况及患儿家属情况 ,并对所有患儿进行随访。结果　在同期住院的 10 5 2例新生儿中 ,2 4例 (2 .3% )患儿存在嗜酸性粒细胞增多。嗜酸性粒细胞轻度增高占 2 9.2 % ,中度增高 5 4 .2 % ,重度增高 16 .7%。嗜酸性粒细胞增多的时间为入院后 0～ 2 0d不等 ,其中 2 5 .0 %患儿入院当时即发现有嗜酸性粒细胞增多 ,2 9.2 %患儿为入院后 1d发现有嗜酸性粒细胞增多 ,2例化脓性脑膜炎患儿在恢复期出现嗜酸性粒细胞增多。在Ig系列中 ,IgA增高 6例 (2 5 .0 % ) ,IgE增高 2例 (8.3% )。嗜酸性粒细胞增多患儿的恢复时间为 2～ 2 1d。患儿出院后 ,对所有患儿进行随访 ,其中 3例(12 .5 % )患儿有湿疹存在。截止至随访日期 ,尚未发现有过敏及哮喘发作。结论　嗜酸性粒细胞增多在新生儿期并不少见 ,常见的原因与新生儿感染有关。     

血浆置换治疗儿童亲属活体肝移植术后抗体介导排斥反应的疗效分析CSCD

目的探讨血浆置换(plasma exchange,PE)治疗儿童亲属活体肝移植术后出现抗体介导排斥反应(antibody mediated rejection,AMR)的疗效。方法以湖南省儿童医院1例因胆道闭锁、胆汁性肝硬化接受血型相合亲属活体肝移植,术后发生AMR的7月龄患儿为研究对象。该患儿肝移植术后一直使用他克莫司+泼尼松二联抗排斥治疗,术后1个月内出现以胆红素升高为主的肝功能异常,行移植肝穿刺活检,完善人类白细胞抗原(human lymphocyte antigen,HLA)抗体检测,并予血浆置换治疗。结果肝穿刺活检结果提示急性排斥反应、补体C4d染色阳性,结合人类白细胞抗原(human lymphocyte antigen,HLA)Ⅱ类特异性抗体阳性这一结果,确诊为供体特异性抗体(donor specific antibody,DSA)导致的AMR。确诊后予甲泼尼龙静脉冲击+静脉丙种球蛋白+吗替麦考酚脂口服治疗,并调整相关免疫抑制药物剂量,效果不理想,后加用血浆置换治疗,每2日1次,共5次,治疗1个月后患儿肝功能逐步恢复正常。截至目前已随访3年,复查过程中行移植肝穿刺活检5次,显示排斥反应逐步减轻,肝功能基本维持正常,未出现AMR复发。结论血型相容的儿童亲属活体肝移植也可发生术后AMR,确诊后尽早联合血浆置换辅助治疗可能更有利于肝移植术后急性AMR的恢复。     

Pediatric liver transplantation in Iran: evaluation of the first 50 cases

LT is nowadays accepted as the definitive therapy for end-stage liver disease. We report our experiences with pediatric LT using grafts from living related and DD. From April 1999 to March 2006, 50 infants and children who underwent LT were studied for pretransplantation status, medical and surgical complications and survival rate. There were 33 (66%) boys and 17 (34%) girls. The mean age of patients was 9.9 +/- 4.8 yr (range: 0.9-17.7) with a mean weight of 33.4 +/- 18.4 kg (range: 7.5-80). The main indications were cryptogenic cirrhosis (30%), autoimmune cirrhosis (24%), followed by biliary atresia (22%), Wilson disease (14%), progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis (4%), fulminant hepatitis (4%) and tyrosinemia (2%). We used living-related donor in 14 (28%) and split liver in 5 (10%) cases and other patients received whole liver from DD. The mean follow-up of patients was 24.7 +/- 22.6 months (range: 1-72). The main postoperative complications were acute cellular rejection (44%) and infections (30%), whereas chronic rejection was seen in 26% of cases. The mortality rate was 24%. Overall mean survival (76% alive) was 63.5 +/- 5.7, 95% CI: 52.3-74.6. Our results demonstrate that pediatric LT is a feasible undertaking in Iran. Organ shortage in our area led to liberal use of living related and split liver techniques. The overall results of the pediatric LT in Iran are encouraging.     

小儿肝移植近期并发症防治

目的探讨小儿肝移植术后管理经验以及近期并发症的防治。方法2001年11月至2003年12月行小儿肝移植7人8例次，其中亲体肝移植2例，减体积肝移植3例，劈离式肝移植2例。术后即送至ICU监护并监测重要脏器功能、凝血功能及生化指标，早期用免疫抑制剂和预防性应用抗生素，每日Doppler检查肝脏血流速度和频谱。结果1例术后第5d死于急性肾功能衰竭；其他近期并发症还包括：腹腔内大出血2例、门静脉栓塞1例、肝静脉狭窄1例、右上肺不张5例、成人呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)及肺炎2例、消化道出血3例、腹腔感染1例、伤口感染2例、病毒感染3例、肾功能损伤2例、胆道并发症2例、急性排斥反应2例。结论小儿可成功施行肝移植手术，然而，术后并发症的风险却不容忽视。     

Liver transplantation in infants and children. Evaluation of the first 40 cases (March 1991-March 1997)]

BACKGROUND: Liver transplantation (LT) is the treatment of end-stage liver disease in children. We report our experience with LT using grafts from living related (LRD) and cadaver donors (CD). POPULATION: From March 1991 to March 1997, 40 children and infants received a total of 42 liver grafts. A reduced-size liver was used in 28 cases. We studied pre-transplantation status, survival rate, and medical and surgical complications in these patients. RESULTS: The survival rate in our series was respectively 85 and 80% at 1 and 7 years after LT. Low weight infants required a prolonged ventilatory assistance. Five of the six deaths noticed during the first three months after LT occurred in children weighing less than 12 kg. One year after LT, no significant difference in the incidence of rejection was found, neither between low-weight children and the others, nor between patients transplanted from CD or LRD. Biliary tract stricture was the major surgical complication. CONCLUSION: This series consisted of a majority of low-weight children. The survival rate in the patients weighting less than 12 kg is lower than in the others. This may be explained by the nutritional status of these patients and early postsurgical complications. The use of grafts from living donors offers more flexibility since the operation is performed electively, but it did not seem to modify the incidence of acute rejections and surgical complications.     

右美托咪定用于小儿脑瘫选择性脊神经后根切断术麻醉的研究

目的观察右美托咪定用于4,JL脑瘫选择性脊神经后根切断术麻醉的效果。方法选择30例行选择性脊神经后根切断术的患儿,随机分为右美托咪定组和对照组,每组15例,右美托咪定组于术中按0．2μg·kg^-1·h^-1持续泵人右美托咪定。两组术中麻醉维持按瑞芬太尼0．1～0．3μg·kg^-1·min^-1、丙泊酚2—6mg·kg^-1·h^-1持续泵人。记录两组不同时段SBP、HR、BIS、PETcO：,记录术中电刺激进行肌电（EMG）监测时患儿体动发生例数、术后躁动例数。结果右美托咪定组EMG监测时HR低于对照组,术中EMG监测时体动例数（0）及术后躁动例数（6．7％）少于对照组（13．3％,13．3％）。结论右美托咪定用于小儿脑瘫选择性脊神经后根切断术的麻醉维持,可使患儿术中生命体征更平稳,减少术后躁动发生。     

Eosinophil counts and urinary eosinophil protein X in children hospitalized for wheezing during the first year of life: prediction of recurrent wheezing

Early identification of wheezing children with an increased risk of recurrent wheezing or subsequent asthma is important. The aim of the study was to determine the role of markers of eosinophil activation, along with other parameters, in the prediction of recurrent wheezing and allergic sensitization in children with early and severe wheezing. We examined 105 children without atopic dermatitis, hospitalized for wheezing during the first year of life. At a 20-mo follow-up, 101 of the children were assessed for the occurrence of recurrent wheezing (at least 3 episodes, including 1 in the previous 6 mo) and allergic sensitization (positive skin-prick test). By univariate analysis, levels of eosinophil counts at the time of hospitalization (p = 0.005, OR = 18.9), age in months (p < 0.0001, OR = 1.5), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)-negative disease (p < 0.0001, OR = 8.8), parental atopy (p = 0.006, OR = 3.3) and male sex (0.02, OR = 2.7) were all predictive factors for recurrent wheezing at follow-up. With all parameters included in a multiple regression analysis, RSV-negative disease was not a predictive factor for recurrent wheezing. A simple model including eosinophil counts > or = 0.1 x 10(9)/L and age had a predictive accuracy of 79%, with only a 6% chance of a child being wrongly predicted as symptomatic. Urinary protein X (U-EPX) was not a predictive factor for recurrent wheezing. When included in a multiple logistic regression analysis, a level of U-EPX > or = 100 microg/mmol creatinine was the only parameter with a positive predictive value for allergic sensitization (p = 0.007, OR = 18.9), whereas age, parental allergy or parental asthma were not. CONCLUSION: Children with severe wheezing during the first year of life and subsequent recurrent wheezing are characterized by a normal or high eosinophil count in response to viral infections.     

Outcome of live donor liver transplantation in indian children with bodyweight <7.5 kg

This case-series analyzed the outcome of live donor liver transplantation (LT) performed in children <7.5kg from January 2008 to June 2009 at our center. Five patients (3 males, 2 females, mean age, 8.2 ±.4 months; mean weight 6.8 ± 0.4 kg) underwent LT. The indications of LT included biliary atresia (3) and idiopathic neonatal hepatitis (2). Postoperative complications included acute rejection (1), portal venous thrombosis (1), bile leak (1), severe hypertension (1) and bacterial sepsis (4). There were no donor related complications. The median follow-up duration is 11 months with patient and graft survival rates of 100% each, respectively.     

Early prediction of neurological sequelae or death after bacterial meningitis

This study determined independent predictors of the occurrence of permanent neurological sequelae or death after childhood bacterial meningitis. Data were used from a large study on children (aged 1 mo to 15 y) initially presenting with meningeal irritation. A nested case-control study was performed on children with (n = 23) and without (n = 70) permanent neurological sequelae (hearing impairment, locomotor dysfunction, mental retardation or epilepsy) or death after bacterial meningitis. Predictors obtained from clinical evaluation and laboratory tests at presentation and during the clinical course were identified by multivariate logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses. The study population comprised 23 cases and 70 controls (52% boys, median age 2.8 y). Independent predictors for an adverse outcome after bacterial meningitis were male gender, atypical convulsions in history, low body temperature at admission and the pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. The area under the ROC curve of this prediction rule was 0.87 (95% confidence interval: 0.78-0.96), which was not improved by adding other characteristics. A score including these independent predictors could classify patients into categories with increasing risk for an adverse outcome. Conclusion: Clinical characteristics available early in the clinical course, such as gender, atypical convulsions in history, low body temperature at admission and the pathogen, are predictive for the occurrence of permanent neurological sequelae or death after bacterial meningitis in childhood. The pathogen type, in particular, is the main prognostic determinant of childhood bacterial meningitis.     

Late allograft fibrosis in pediatric liver transplant recipients: Assessed by histology and transient elastography

Late allograft fibrosis in LT recipients can cause graft dysfunction and may result in re‐transplantation. TE is a non‐invasive tool for the assessment of liver fibrosis. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of allograft fibrosis in pediatric LT recipients, identify factors associated with allograft fibrosis, and determine the diagnostic value of TE, compared to histology. All children who underwent LT for ≥3 years were included. TE was performed for LSM in all patients. LSM of ≥7.5 kPa was considered as abnormal and suggestive of allograft fibrosis. Percutaneous liver biopsy was performed when patients had abnormal LSM and/or abnormal LFTs. Histological fibrosis was diagnosed when METAVIR score ≥F1 or LAF scores ≥1. TE was performed in 43 patients and 14 (32.5%) had abnormal LSM suggestive of allograft fibrosis. Histological fibrosis was identified in 10 of the 15 patients (66.7%) who underwent percutaneous liver biopsy and associated findings included chronic active HBV infection (n = 3), and late acute rejection (n = 3). Multivariate analysis showed that graft age was significantly associated with allograft fibrosis (OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.05‐1.41, P = 0.01). In conclusion, late allograft fibrosis is common in children undergoing LT for ≥3 years and associated with graft age. HBV infection and late acute rejection are common associated findings. Abnormal TE and/or LFTs may guide physicians to consider liver biopsy for the detection of late allograft fibrosis in LT children.     

Sirolimus as renal and immunological rescue agent in pediatric liver transplant recipients

CNI have improved the outcome of LT. However, their inherent potential to nephrotoxic and sometimes-inadequate immunosuppressive effect has lead to the usage of newer drugs like SRL. Aim of this study was to review children who received SRL. Thirty-seven (20 women) children post-LT, median age 10.4 yr (0.8-17.4) with a minimum follow-up of six months comprised the study group. Indications for SRL were biopsy-proven resistant acute allograft rejection (n = 12), early CR (n = 12), and CNI-induced nephropathy with MMF intolerance (n = 11). In two patients, the indication was the recurrence of BSEP disease in the allograft. In patients with acute rejection, AST normalized in 10/12 patients. In patients with CR, AST normalized in 6/12 patients. Those with renal impairment showed improvement in their creatinine levels from a mean baseline of 99-56.7 μm (p = 0.03) and their mean cystatin C was 1.02 after SRL. Side effects leading to discontinuation of SRL were seen in three patients. SRL was effective in rescuing patients with acute and chronic allograft rejection and improving renal function in CNI-induced nephropathy group.     

Pediatric renal transplantation in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, pediatric kidney transplantation programs are available in four centers. We retrospectively analyzed the results obtained over the past decade. Between 1985 and 1995, 231 patients (139 boys) received 269 transplants, including 61 repeat. The recipients were aged 1.9-21.8 yrs (mean 10.9), the donors 0.3-63.3 yrs (median 11.4, mean 19.7). Immunosuppression consisted of corticosteroids, cyclosporin A and azathioprine, in various combinations and dosages. The patient survival during follow-up was 97%. The overall graft survival was 73% at 1 yr and 60% at 5 yrs after transplantation. Major causes of graft loss were acute rejection (21%), thrombosis (12%) and chronic rejection (28%). Acute rejection episodes were noted in 74% of all grafts. First acute rejection episodes had a moderate predictive value for graft loss (relative risk (RR), compared to rejection-free grafts, 5.9). First rejection episodes occurring later than 3 months after transplantation were considerably more predictive (RR 18.3) than early ones. Grafts from living related donors (n = 35) yielded a superior 5-yr graft survival (77%) and remained free of rejection more often than grafts from adult cadaveric donors(43% vs. 25%). The results of pre-emptive transplants were excellent (n = 13, 5-yr survival 100%). Repeat transplants had the same results as primary transplants. Recipients younger than 4 yrs showed a poor 5-yr graft survival of 38% (n = 13). Single kidney grafts from donors younger than 4 yrs (n = 35) had a 5-yr graft survival of 44%. In contrast, kidneys from these young donors did well if transplanted en bloc (n = 10, 5-yr graft survival 89%). These overall results are in line with those of others. The results may be improved by expansion of immunosuppressive therapy in the first year and by thrombosis prophylaxis in high-risk patient-donor combinations. Better results may be expected from more extensive use of living related donations, pre-emptive transplantation and en bloc transplantation instead of single kidneys of young donors.