Prednisone withdrawal in pediatric kidney transplant recipients on tacrolimus-based immunosuppression: four-year data

Corticosteroids have been used in renal transplant immunosuppression for over 40 yr. Despite their adverse effects, steroid therapy continues to be part of early as well as maintenance immunosuppression in most pediatric renal transplant centers. The association of steroids with growth retardation, weight gain, and acne may be particularly distressing during the critical years of adolescence and young adulthood, increasing the risk of medication non-adherence. This study reviews the outcomes of pediatric renal transplant patients treated with low-dose tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, or azathioprine, and planned prednisone withdrawal. Thirty-seven pediatric renal transplant recipients were withdrawn from steroids. The mean follow-up after steroid withdrawal was 42+/-19 months. Graft and patient survival were 100%. The mean serum creatinine levels and calculated creatinine clearances remained stable throughout the period of observation. The mean creatinine clearance was 96+/-24 mL/min/1.73 m2 at steroid withdrawal and 93+/-20 mL/min/1.73 m2 at the latest follow-up. Five patients restarted prednisone; in four (11%) it was for suspected or confirmed acute rejection. Improvements were observed in serum lipid profiles, blood pressure, and body mass index. Most patients experienced catchup or stable growth after prednisone withdrawal. Four patients developed viral infections; all were successfully treated. The potential benefits of steroid withdrawal in pediatric renal transplantation are supported by our results.