https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35442235/ Acute liver failure

J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2022 Apr 20.
doi: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000003448.Online ahead of print
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Outcomes Analyses of Pediatric Acute Liver Failure Subjects Listed for Liver Transplantation

Sakil S Kulkarni 1, Charles W Goss 2, Adeel S Khan 3, Michelle L Nadler 1, Janis M Stoll 1, Maria B Doyle 3, Yumirle P Turmelle 1, David A Rudnick 1 4

Abstract

Background: We characterized recent outcomes in US pediatric acute liver failure (PALF) subjects listed for liver transplantation (LT) using the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients (SRTR) database.

Methods: Pediatric subjects listed for LT from 2002 to 2015 were assigned to the "PALF" group based on status 1/1A listing, INR >2, no hepatic artery thrombosis, and no primary graft nonfunction (N = 397). Subjects were assigned to the "non-PALF" group if listed with any status other than 1/1A (N = 4509).

Results: The PALF group had more infants <3 months of age and males at listing for LT compared to the non-PALF group. Two-thirds of PALF subjects had an indeterminate etiology. LT waitlist survival was significantly worse in the PALF group compared to the non-PALF group. Likelihood of removal from the LT waitlist for being "too sick" was higher, while that of removal for "spontaneous recovery" was lower in PALF subjects. Post-LT short-term (30 days) and long-term (60 months) outcomes were also significantly worse in PALF versus non-PALF subjects. PALF subjects who underwent living-donor-liver-transplant (LDLT) had similar LT waitlist times and post-LT survival compared to those undergoing deceased-donor-liver-transplant (DDLT). Over the study period, we observed a decreased number of liver transplants, and increase in LT waitlist- and short-term post-LT-survival in PALF subjects.

Conclusion: LT waitlist and post-LT outcomes are worse in PALF subjects compared to non-PALF subjects. PALF subjects who undergo LDLT have similar waitlist times and post-LT outcomes compared to those undergoing DDLT.