PMID: 39933470 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39933470/

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The definition of early allograft dysfunction (EAD) varies, and has hardly been studied in pediatric transplantation (pLT) since the adult EAD definition is not easily applicable to pLT.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on consecutive pLT patients aged <18 at the Department of Pediatric Transplantation of Tianjin First Central Hospital from April 2013 to December 2022. The definition of EAD explored in this study is (1) international normalized ratio ≥2.8 on day 1 and aspartate aminotransferase >1500 IU/mL within the first 7 days or (2) total bilirubin ≥5 mg/dL on day 7. The overall survival of patients and graft survival at 90 days after surgery were compared between this new definition and the adult EAD definition.

RESULTS: A total of 1620 pLT recipients were included in the study, of which 179 (11.0 %) recipients met the new definition of EAD for pLT. Twenty-five (13.97 %) died and 37 (20.67 %) graft lost within 90 days. The RR_death under Olthoff's EAD definition and our EAD definition are 3.45 and 9.57, respectively; The RR_graft_loss under Olthoff's EAD definition and our EAD definition are 4.18 and 11.48, respectively. A total of 97 (18.98 %) of 511 recipients who received deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT) met the new definition of EAD, 18 (18.56 %) died and 29 (29.90 %) graft lost within 90 days. In DDLT group, the RR_death under Olthoff's EAD definition and our EAD definition are 2.29 and 10.98, respectively; The RR_graft_loss under Olthoff's EAD definition and our EAD definition are 2.34 and 11.24, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The broadly used Olthoff's EAD definition in adult liver transplantation is unsuitable for pLT use. The EAD definition established in this study is more suitable for patients <18 years old who received pLT, especially those <18 years old who received DDLT.