Risk factors for chronic anemia in pediatric orthotopic liver transplantation: Analysis of data from the SPLIT registry

R. I. Liem*, R. Anand, W. Yin, E. M. Alonso

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Risk factors for chronic anemia in the post-transplant period have not been clearly delineated in pediatric liver transplant recipients. We analyzed data from children transplanted from 2000 to 2008 with at least two consecutive hemoglobin values from follow-up between six months and five yr post-transplant. A multivariate model was derived to determine independent risk factors associated with chronic anemia. Of 1026 children in this analysis, 242 (23.6%) were found to have chronic anemia. On multivariate analysis, GI bleeding (OR 11.83 [2.08-67.49], p = 0.0054), presence of leukopenia (OR 9.55 [95% CI 3.71-24.62], p < 0.0001), use of cyclosporine (OR 3.69, [95% CI 1.56-8.76], p = 0.0039) and corticosteroids (OR 2.90 [95% CI 1.94-4.33], p < 0.0001), and cGFR <90 mL/min/1.73 m 2 (OR 4.62 [95% CI 2.47-8.67], p < 0.0001) represented the most significant risk factors for chronic anemia. Use of antihypertensive medications (OR 1.89 [95% CI 1.23-2.91], p = 0.0039) was also significantly associated with a higher risk. In summary, chronic anemia is common in children following liver transplant. Our findings underscore the need to define the mechanisms by which these risk factors, some of which are modifiable, result in chronic anemia in pediatric liver transplant recipients.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)137-143
Number of pages7
JournalPediatric transplantation
Volume16
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2012

Keywords

  • anemia
  • cyclosporine
  • liver transplant
  • renal function
  • tacrolimus

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Transplantation
  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Risk factors for chronic anemia in pediatric orthotopic liver transplantation: Analysis of data from the SPLIT registry'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this