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Optimizing outcomes for pediatric recipients
Author(s) -
Samyn Marianne
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
liver transplantation
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.814
H-Index - 150
eISSN - 1527-6473
pISSN - 1527-6465
DOI - 10.1002/lt.23543
Subject(s) - medicine , immunosuppression , liver transplantation , intensive care medicine , quality of life (healthcare) , united network for organ sharing , young adult , medline , transplantation , pediatrics , nursing , political science , law
Key Points 1. After liver transplantation (LT), the majority of children now grow into adulthood, with 10‐year patient survival rates of 74% to 84% and graft survival rates of 62% to 72% according to United Network for Organ Sharing data. 2. Graft and patient survival rates decrease for patients undergoing transplantation between the ages of 12 and 17 years, and this raises the importance of dedicated adolescent care and appropriate transitioning to adult services. 3. Complications associated with long‐term immunosuppression, including renal complications, infections, malignancies, and cardiovascular complications, are well described, and the risk factors are defined. 4. Biomarkers for measuring clinical immunosuppression and the concept of tolerance‐inducing regimens are exciting, but further assessment is needed in large, prospective, multicenter studies. 5. As long‐term medical complications are better managed, we need to focus on understanding the challenges for pediatric LT patients with respect to quality of life and health status. Liver Transpl, 2012. © 2012 AASLD.