ANALYSIS OF GROWTH IN CHILDREN AFTER ORTHOTOPIC LIVER-TRANSPLANTATION

Growth after pediatric liver transplantation is an important factor in determining the quality of life. We collected data on height, skeleta l age, and liver function of 45 consecutive pediatric transplant recip ients and assessed the influence of primary diagnosis, liver function, and immunosuppressive regimen on their growth. Height and skeletal ag e were plotted as median standard deviation scores versus years post-t ransplantation. Growth, in terms of both height and skeletal age, were continuous without catch-up growth. Primary diagnosis was found to ha ve no influence on height and poor liver function had a negative effec t on both height and skeletal growth. A higher alternate day prednisol one maintenance dose also had a negative effect on skeletal growth. Th us, it can be concluded that a pretransplant lack of growth will not b e restored and is an indication for early transplantation in endstage liver disease, especially in younger children.