Pediatric Liver Transplantation: Long-Term Follow-Up Issues

Abstract

Pediatric liver transplant is an established life-saving procedure for children with end-stage liver diseases, achieving excellent graft and patient survival but with effects on quality of life and psychological welfare in the long-term. With the natural increase in the number of pediatric transplant patients becoming adults, it is essential to successfully plan and manage issues affecting late outcomes in the vulnerable pediatric transplant population. This study offers an overview of the long-term surgical complications, the consequences of immunosuppression (such as posttransplant diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and renal dysfunction), and the infection and malignancy risks. Finally, because quality of life is now an inclusive measurement of patient satisfaction, guidance on how to facilitate the transition to adulthood, empowering transplant recipients, is also provided.

Insights on Transition of Care‐Related Deaths of Young Adults Who Were Recipients of Pediatric Liver Transplantation

“…Unfortunately, mounting evidence shows that once pediatric LT recipients became adolescents/young adults having therefore to transit finally into adults’ medical teams care, this period of the life strictly coincides with a period of extremely risky nonadherence to immunosuppressive medication and regular planned visits, resulting in some deaths and loss to follow‐up (FU). The causes are multiple, and it is now clear that require a comprehensive approach (1–3).…”