Evaluation of catch-up growth after liver transplantation in children with biliary atresia

Orthotopic liver transplantation (Tx) has improved survival in infants with extrahepatic biliary atresia (BA) when portoenteroanastomosis fails. Symptoms leading to Tx include liver failure, poor quality of life and growth failure. The objective of the study was to determine catch-up growth in children with BA. Medical records and growth data of 36 patients (24 girls) who received a Tx due to BA were analyzed. Thirty-two patients completed 3 yr and 15 patients 7 yr of follow-up after Tx. At Tx, the median age was 2.7 yr (range 0.7-12.6) and mean height Z score (+/-s.d.) was -1.56 (+/-1.3). Patients were divided in two groups according to age at Tx: group I (n = 10), younger than 1.0 yr, and group II (n = 26) older than 1.0 yr. Median age (range) at Tx in group I was 0.8 yr (0.7-1.0) and in group II it was 3.35 yr (1.25-12.6). Thirteen patients (nine in group I) were receptors of living related donors. We evaluated linear growth, liver and renal function, immunosuppressive regimen and allograft rejection episodes. We did not find any significant differences in allograft or renal function, immunosuppressive therapy and number of acute rejection episodes or height Z score at Tx, second and third year post-Tx between both groups. The mean height Z score at Tx in group I was -1.61 and in group II -1.54; at the second year, group I -0.66 and group II -1.08; at the third year, group I -0.17 and group II -0.85; and at the seventh year (total group) -0.3. However, the height gain at the third year was better in group I than in group II (p < 0.01, t-test). Height Z score at the third year improved more than 1 SDS in seven out of eight patients in group I and in only nine out of 24 in group II (odds ratio 11.6). We also found a correlation between height gain at the third year and age at Tx (r-0.65) and between height gain at the third year and height Z score at Tx (r-0.54) (Pearson, p < 0.05). Children with BA who are transplanted before 12 months of age presented better catch-up growth without change survival and morbidity. Orthotopic liver Tx improves survival and also enables height gain in these children.     

钙黏蛋白-11在胆道闭锁患儿肝组织中的表达及意义

目的分析钙黏蛋白-11(cadherin-11,CDH11)在胆道闭锁(biliary atresia,BA)患儿肝组织内的表达及意义。方法选取2014年11月至2016年12月就诊的BA和胆总管囊肿(CC)患儿作为研究对象。分析患儿肝脏CDH11与肝纤维化标志基因和血清肝功能指标的相关性。结果 BA组50例,女25例、男25例,中位年龄59.5(46.8～71.8)天;CC组8例,女5例、男3例,中位年龄70.0(49.0～125.3)天。BA组患儿肝脏中CDH11 mRNA表达水平显著高于CC组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01)。BA肝内CDH11 mRNA表达水平与转化生长因子β1(TGFB1)、转化生长因子β2(TGFB2)、角蛋白19(KRT19)、肌动蛋白α2(ACTA2)、Ⅰ型胶原α1链(COL1A1)和Ⅳ型胶原α1链(COL4A1) mRNA表达水平呈显著正相关(r=0.36～0.73,P均<0.01)。与轻度肝纤维化BA患儿相比,CDH11表达水平在重度肝纤维化BA患儿肝内显著升高(P<0.01)。BA肝内CDH11 mRNA表达水平与血清γ-谷氨酰...     

Current concept about postoperative cholangitis in biliary atresia

Background  Postoperative cholangitis characterized by fever and acholic stool and positive blood culture is a common and serious complication following Kasai’s operation for biliary atresia. The aim of this review was to describe the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, medical treatment and outcome of postoperative cholangitis. Data sources  Articles on biliary atresia retrieved from Pubmed and MEDLINE in the recent 10 years were reviewed. Results  The pathogenesis of postoperative cholangitis is still controversial. Recent methods for the diagnosis of postoperative cholangitis include urinary sulfated bile acids (USBA) and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography (MRCP). High-dose steroids and oral antibiotics have been used to reduce the incidence of postoperative cholangitis, and recurrent cholangitis leads to a lower survival rate. Conclusions  Cholangitis is one of the most important determinants of long-term survival after the Kasai’s procedure. The knowledge on postoperative cholangitis has been increasing in the past 10 years, showing a lower incidence of the disease and better therapeutic results.     

Inchin-ko-to prevents medium-term liver fibrosis in postoperative biliary atresia patients

The oriental herbal formulation inchin-ko-to (ICKT) inhibits liver cell apoptosis induced by transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1). This study evaluated the effect of ICKT on serum markers of liver function and liver fibrosis in postoperative biliary atresia (BA) patients. Twenty-one postoperative BA patients with elevated GOT, GPT and γ-GTP, but normal serum total bilirubin levels, were divided into two groups arbitrarily; an ICKT group (n = 12), and a no-ICKT group (n = 9). Serum markers of liver function [GOT, GPT, γ-GTP, total bile acids (TBA)], and serum markers of liver fibrosis [hyaluronic acid (HA), type IV collagen (C-IV)], were measured in both groups at the beginning of the study, and at 1, and 3 years after the beginning of the study and the results compared statistically. All patients tolerated ICKT well, and there were no side effects. In the ICKT group, mean serum HA levels were significantly decreased at 1 year (P < 0.012), and at 3 years, both mean serum HA and C-IV were significantly decreased (P < 0.001 and P < 0.003, respectively). However, mean serum levels of GOT, GPT, γ-GTP, and TBA did not change significantly following ICKT use for any length of time (all P > 0.05). Administration of ICKT in postoperative BA patients appears to lower the serum levels of markers of fibrosis in the medium-term. Whether this in fact correlates with prevention cannot be determined from this paper, but ICKT would appear to protect against liver fibrosis. Long-term studies are required to determine the exact role ICKT plays in prognosis of BA patients.     

Early occurrence of hepatocellular carcinoma in biliary atresia treated by liver transplantation

A case of liver transplantation for HCC complicating BA in an eight-month old infant is reported. HCC in BA is extremely rare. Screening of AFP and ultrasonographic examination should be performed regularly in patients with secondary biliary cirrhosis for early detection of HCC.     

Incidentally detected cholangiocarcinoma in an explanted liver with biliary atresia after Kasai operation

This report presents the case of a 30‐yr‐old woman with BA who developed incidental cholangiocarcinoma following the Kasai operation. She showed progressive liver dysfunction and cirrhosis at the age of 30 yr and underwent LDLT. A 4‐cm‐diameter liver tumor in the anastomotic site of portoenterostomy was incidentally found as a result of a pathological examination of the explanted native liver. The tumor was pathologically diagnosed to be intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Although cholangiocarcinoma in patients with BA has been previously reported in only three cases, it should be nevertheless always considered in the differential diagnosis of hepatic tumors during a long follow‐up course in patients with BA.     

Living-related liver transplantation for biliary atresia associated with polysplenia syndrome

This report describes a 1-yr-old boy with biliary atresia (BA) and polysplenia syndrome (PS) who underwent successful living-related liver transplantation (LTx). At the time of initial hepatic portoenterostomy, he was noticed to have a preduodenal portal vein (PV), non-rotation of the intestine, and polysplenia. Because he did not achieve good bile excretion, he underwent a living-related LTx (using a left lateral segment from his mother) at the age of 14 months. Evaluation of the vascular anatomy was made by angiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computerized tomography (CT), and Doppler ultrasound. The PV was stenotic from the confluence of the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) and splenic vein (SpV) to the hepatic hilum. The retrohepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) was deficient cranially to the renal vein and was connected to the azygous vein. The supra-hepatic IVC was detected below the diaphragm and was connected to three hepatic veins. The common hepatic artery (HA) originated from the superior mesenteric artery. At LTx, the PV was dissected to the level of confluence of the SMV and the SpV, from which the venous graft was interposed using the donor's ovarian vein. Three hepatic veins were plastied into one orifice, which was anastomosed to the graft's hepatic vein under the diaphragm. The graft vascularity and function has been good for 1 yr after LTx. In the present case, sufficient pre-LTx evaluation of vascular anomalies seemed to help performance of the successful LTx.     

血清内毒素水平在胆道闭锁患儿术后的意义

目的探讨血清内毒素(ET)、透明质酸(HA)与胆道闭锁(BA)患儿术后肝损害、肝纤维化的关系。方法以行肝门空肠吻合(Kasai)术后的BA患儿为BA组(n=38),正常体检儿童(n=12)为对照组;BA患儿根据其胆红素水平再分成黄疸组(n=14)和无黄疸组(n=24)。由自动生化仪测肝功能,鲎三肽基质显色法测ET水平、放射免疫法测HA水平。结果 BA组患儿存在肝损害,血清ET、HA水平均较正常对照儿童高(P<0.05);BA组患儿中,黄疸患儿的肝损害较无黄疸者重,血清ET、HA水平也较无黄疸者高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);血清ET水平与血清总胆红素、谷草转氨酶及HA水平呈正相关(P<0.05)。结论血清ET水平与术后BA患儿肝损害和肝纤维化密切相关,可作为术后判断BA患儿预后的有用指标。     

Elevation of serum stem-cell factor in postoperative biliary atresia

BACKGROUND: Biliary atresia (BA) is one of the most common causes of neonatal cholestasis. Stem-cell factor (SCF) has been implicated in the development of fibrosis in various diseases. The objective of the present study was to examine the significant role of SCF in BA. METHODS: Fifty-seven pediatric patients with BA after Kasai operation and 30 healthy children were recruited. The mean ages of BA patients and controls were 6.1 +/- 0.6 years and 6.1 +/- 0.7 years, respectively. The patients were categorized into two groups according to their serum levels of total bilirubin (TBil < 2 mg/dL, no jaundice vs TBil > or = 2 mg/dL, persistent jaundice) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT < 100 vs ALT > or = 100 U/L). The serum SCF levels were determined on commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: The mean serum SCF level of the BA children was higher than that of normal controls (748.3 +/- 17.9 pg/mL vs 582.2 +/- 17.3 pg/mL; P < 0.001). Subsequent analysis demonstrated that the BA patients with serum ALT > or = 100 U/L had significantly greater levels of serum SCF compared to those with serum ALT < 100 U/L (796.5 +/- 22.6 pg/mL vs 694.7 +/- 25.0 pg/mL, respectively; P = 0.002). In addition, serum SCF levels were significantly elevated in the patients with portal hypertension (PH) compared with those without PH (810.0 +/- 18.8 pg/mL vs 634.1 +/- 20.1 pg/mL, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The current study showed that BA patients had higher serum SCF levels compared with controls. The significant elevation in SCF levels is associated with the presence of PH and the degree of hepatic injury. These findings suggest that SCF may play a part in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis in BA patients after Kasai procedure.     

Time-course changes in the liver of biliary atresia patients on magnetic resonance imaging

Background:  Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), changes in the livers of postoperative biliary atresia (BA) patients were investigated.
Methods:  Periodic MRI was performed in 32 postoperative BA patients. The findings were evaluated by calculating the near-normal liver tissue area that corresponded with normal- or high-signal regions on T1-weighted imaging. The patients were divided into three groups based on the extent of near-normal liver tissue on the final MRI: group A, n  = 14; group B, n  = 13; and group C, n  = 5, included patients with >40%, 20–40%, and <20% area of near-normal liver tissue, respectively. The relationship among the macroscopic and histological findings in the liver at orthotopic living donor liver transplantation (OLDLT), patient outcomes, and MRI findings were investigated.
Results:  In group A, 11 patients had no evidence of liver dysfunction. In group B, six patients either had undergone or were awaiting OLDLT. In group C, all patients had undergone OLDLT. All patients had either adequate or impaired bile drainage in each liver segment. The segmental changes corresponded with the liver architecture at OLDLT. The changes could be evaluated on MRI at 1–2 years after surgery.
Conclusions:  Adequate and restricted areas of liver tissue with near-normal structure were indicative of good and poor prognoses, respectively. Shortly after portoenterostomy, these segmental changes occurred and/or developed in each liver segment and could be detected on MRI. It is emphasized that patients with >40% area of near-normal liver architecture at the initial stages did not require OLDLT, while those with <20% area did require OLDLT.     

Apparently increased trough levels of tacrolimus caused by acute infantile diarrhea in two infants with biliary atresia after liver transplantation

Two infants with biliary atresia who exhibited three-fold increased trough levels of tacrolimus and required reduced doses during episodes of acute infantile diarrhea within 5 months of liver transplantation are described. The cause of the increase was not explained simply by hemoconcentration as a result of significant loss of extracellular fluid during these episodes. It does highlight an important issue: that of the continuing need to carefully monitor the trough levels of tacrolimus in such infants.     

57例胆道闭锁术后近期疗效及部分影响预后因素分析

为了解胆道闭锁术后近期疗效及部分影响预后的因素，对1990年1月－2001年12月收治的胆道闭锁患儿57例进行分析。男32例，女25例；平均手术年龄81天（33－223天）；36例行Kasai术。测定13例患儿血清巨细胞病毒的DNA、抗CMV－lgG和lgM抗体和肝活检组织和CMV抗原表达。结果：Kasai术后总的胆汁排出率为53．8％，总的黄疸消退率为33．3％。激素治疗有促进胆汁引流作用。60天以内手术组疗效明显好于90天以后手术组。CMV感染组术后疗效较非感染相差。提示在目前国内尚未广泛开展肝移植的情况下，早期诊断、及早手术及加强术后抗感染和抗病毒治疗对提高其生存率意义重大。     

Living donor liver transplantation for biliary atresia – An Indian experience

LT has played a significant role in improving the outcome of children with BA. We review our five‐yr experience of LDLT for children with BA. Records of all children who underwent LDLT in our institution over a five‐yr period (August 2010–June 2015) were reviewed and those with a primary diagnosis of BA were selected for our study. Data were extracted from a prospectively maintained database. Additional data were collected by review of case notes and imaging studies. Analysis was carried out using standard statistical means. One hundred and thirty‐two children underwent LDLT at our center over the study period, of which 58 children (31 females) had a primary diagnosis of BA. Thirty‐three (56.9%) children had undergone a prior KPE and 25 (43.1%) had a primary LT. Thirty‐four children had at least one post‐op complication, of which 13 had minor complications (Clavien grades I and II) and 21 had major complications (Clavien grade >II). Thirty‐day survival was 96.6% and one‐yr survival was 91.4%. Univariate analysis of variables comparing children who did and did not have a KPE prior to LT showed that age at LT, weight at LT, PELD, and GRWR were significantly different. LDLT provides excellent outcomes in children with BA. Primary LDLT and LT after KPE provide equivalent results, although the former is technically more challenging as the child is younger.     

First liver transplantation for biliary atresia in children: The hidden effects of non‐centralization

The aim of our study was to determine the impact of initial orientation for medical and surgical care of children with BA on procedures and outcomes of the first LT. We retrospectively analyzed charts of children with BA who underwent first LT between 2006 and 2015. Patients were divided into two groups for comparison: a single‐center management group (from diagnosis to transplantation) and a secondarily referred group (children referred after failure of KP). We focused analysis on disease severity at transplantation, blood transfusion, and overall survival. One hundred and eighty‐five children were included. The median delay between pretransplant check‐up and transplantation was shorter in patients secondarily referred. A severe undernutrition was observed in 23.7% of children secondarily referred compared to 11.1% in children with a single‐center management (P = .024). At transplantation, INR and factor V level were higher in single‐center group patients (respectively, 67% vs 55%, P < .001 and 61% vs 49%, P = .002). The total of red blood cell and fresh frozen plasma administrated during procedure was two times higher in patients secondarily referred. Finally, patients with a single‐center management had a higher overall 12 months of survival rate (92.1% vs 83.1%, P = .033). In a country without low‐density population issues, the authors advocate an early referring to transplant center to further improving LT outcomes in children with BA.     

Pediatric split liver transplantation after Fontan procedure in left isomerism combined with biliary atresia: A case report

LI is a subset of the heterotaxy syndrome and a rare birth defect that involves the heart and other organs. It can be combined with extracardiac abnormalities, especially BA. CHD can be associated with LI in up to 15% of cases, although it is rare in BA. Pediatric LT for a child with ESLD due to BA combined with LI and CHD is a challenging issue for a transplant surgeon. Herein, we report a successful split LT on a three‐yr‐old boy with LI who survived after a Fontan procedure due to single ventricle, but who suffered from HPS associated with BA.     

The impact of hepatic portoenterostomy on liver transplantation for the treatment of biliary atresia: early failure adversely affects outcome

The most common indication for pediatric LTx is biliary atresia with failed HPE, yet the effect of previous HPE on the outcome after LTx has not been well characterized. We retrospectively reviewed a single-center experience with 134 consecutive pediatric liver transplants for the treatment of biliary atresia from 1 May 1995 to 28 April 2008. Of 134 patients, 22 underwent LTx without prior HPE (NPE), while 112 patients underwent HPE first. HPE patients were grouped into EF, defined as need for LTx within the first year of life, and LF, defined as need for LTx beyond the first year of life. NPE and EF groups differed significantly from the LF group in age, weight, PELD, and ICU status (p < 0.05) with NPE having the highest PELD and ICU status. Patients who underwent salvage LTx after EF following HPE had a significantly higher incidence of post-operative bacteremia and septicemia (p < 0.05), and subsequently lower survival rates. One-year patient survival and graft survival were as follows: NPE 100%, EF 81%, and LF 96% (p < 0.05); and NPE 96%, EF 79%, and LF 96% (p < 0.05). Further investigation into the optimal treatment of biliary atresia should focus on identifying patients at high risk of EF who may benefit from proceeding directly to LTx given the increased risk of post-LTx bacteremia, sepsis, and death after failed HPE.     

Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome in a case with ABO‐incompatible liver transplantation for biliary atresia complicated by portal vein thrombosis

Yamada Y, Hoshino K, Shimojima N, Shinoda M, Obara H, Kawachi S, Fuchimoto Y, Tanabe M, Kitagawa Y, Morikawa Y. Idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome in a case with ABO‐incompatible liver transplantation for biliary atresia complicated by portal vein thrombosis.
Pediatr Transplantation 2010: 14:e49–e53. © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Idiopathic HES is characterlized by prolonged eosinophilia without an identifiable underlying cause and multiple‐organ dysfunction. We report a case of a LDLT for a 12‐yr‐old Japanese girl with BA accompanied by HES. Histological examination of the resected liver showed biliary cirrhosis with dense eosinophilic infiltration of portal tracts and the lobules of the liver. She developed portal vein thrombosis on post‐operative day 10 and the histopathological findings of the thrombus revealed dense eosinophilic deposition, suggesting that HES might have influenced the formation of this thrombus. Liver graft biopsies also demonstrated the presence of activated eosinophilils with biliary damage. Blood chemistry findings suggested liver dysfunction as a result of the eosinophilic infiltrations. Prednisolone treatment improved the liver dysfunction. Four years after LDLT, she remains clinically well on prednisolone at 0.3 mg/kg/day, with an eosinophil count ranging from 10 to 15%. A literature review has not shown any previous reports of HES with BA. This case demonstrates the possibility of an association between eosinophilic infiltration and liver dysfunction during follow‐up for BA and after LDLT.     

[13C] Breath Test of Medium-chain Triglycerides and Oligosaccharides in Neonates

It is suitable to examine the utilization of carbohydrates and fats using stable isotope-labelled substrates in neonates because of their non-radioactivity. Administering medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) and oligosaccharides is of use in enteral nutrition for a patient with a limited water intake such as a neonate. In this study, the oxidation of MCT and maltose administered orally as an energy supplement in neonates has been examined using a stable isotope-labelled breath test. Five normal term neonates and five growing preterm infants were given [¹³C]-trioctanoin orally and three growing preterm infants were given [¹³C]-glucose and [¹³C]-maltose orally. The [¹³C] enrichment in carbon dioxide was analyzed by isotope ratio mass spectrometry, and oxidation rates over 6 hr and 12 hr respectively, were calculated. The oxidation rates for [¹³C]-octanoin after 6 hr were 46.2 ± 3.6% in preterm infants and 53.5 ± 13.8% in normal neonates, respectively (no significant difference), and 58.4 ± 9.4% and 52.8 ± 6.0% for [¹³C]-glucose and [¹³C]-maltose, respectively (not significant). The results demonstrate that orally administered MCT and maltose are oxidized sufficiently in preterm infants.