Repository logo
 

Acute rejection and growth outcomes in paediatric kidney allograft recipients treated with a corticosteroid minimisation immunosuppressive protocol.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Shenoy, Mohan 

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Corticosteroid minimisation immunosuppressive protocols (CMP) for children are an approach to safely reduce unwanted medication side effects associated with long-term exposure following kidney transplantation. Here, we provide data regarding the incidence of acute rejection and growth over an extended follow-up in children receiving the CMP used in our centre. METHODS: We retrospectively analysed all children treated with a CMP who received a kidney transplant and had follow-up care in our centre between 2009 and 2019. Data were compared to 5 control groups from recent studies. RESULTS: Ninety-nine kidney allograft recipients were included in the study (mean follow-up 4.4 years). There was no difference in the cumulative frequency of acute rejection in CMP-treated graft recipients compared to controls. Graft function at latest follow-up was significantly lower in graft recipients experiencing acute rejection compared to those without acute rejection (53.7 mL/min/1.73 m2 vs. 66.8 mL/min/1.73 m2, p = 0.021). Children experiencing >1 acute rejection episode had a greatly elevated risk of graft failure (p = 0.0009, OR 68.25). At latest follow-up, 64/90 (71.1%) graft recipients had a normal height, and younger graft recipients demonstrated greater catch up growth than older children. CMP-treated graft recipients showed a reduced rate of height deficit (28.9% vs. 55.1%, p = 0.0025), less obesity (12.2% vs. 23.9%, p = 0.031), and reduced rates of hypertension (35.4% vs. 68.2%, p< 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Children treated with a CMP show greater height attainment, lower frequency of obesity, and reduced rates of hypertension, without an increased risk of acute rejection. Graphical abstract.

Description

Keywords

Acute rejection, Corticosteroid, Graft loss, Immunosuppression, Paediatric kidney transplantation, TWIST, Acute Disease, Adolescent, Adrenal Cortex Hormones, Allografts, Child, Child Development, Graft Rejection, Humans, Immunosuppressive Agents, Kidney Transplantation, Retrospective Studies, Transplant Recipients

Journal Title

Pediatr Nephrol

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0931-041X
1432-198X

Volume Title

36

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Rights

All rights reserved