ABSTRACT
Background: Cardiovascular risk, growth failure and the new immunosuppressive drugs, have encouraged steroid withdrawal or total avoidance with promising results in renal transplant (Tx) immunosuppression. Aim: To evaluate a new immunosuppressor protocol with early withdrawal of steroids in pediatric kidney transplant. Patients and methods: Prospective study in pediatric patients older than 1 year and low immunological risk. Group A (n =28): steroids in decreasing doses until day 7 post Tx, tacrolimus (FK) and micophenolate mofetil (MMF). Group B (n =28) control: steroids, cyclosporine and azathioprine or steroids, FK and MMF. In both groups the induction therapy included basiliximab. Anthropometric and biochemical variables (renal function, lipid profile, hematological, blood glucose and acid-base equilibrium), acute rejection and CMV infection, were evaluated. Mean values and variations for continuous variables were calculated at months 1, 6, 12 and 18. Results: Two children were withdrawn before month 2, one had an untreatable diarrhea and the second died due to Aspergillus septicemia. Mean values at months 1, 6, 12 and 18 for groups A and B: Creatinine clearence (ml/min): 85.4 vs 89; 79.9 vs 83; 89 vs 80; 79.8 vs 80.6 (p: ns); hematocrit ( percent): 28.8 vs 30.4; 31.7 vs 34.4; 34.4; 32.4 vs 34.8; 34.4 vs 35.5 (p: ns). Total cholesterol (mg/dl): 151 vs 206; 139 vs 174; 138 vs 186; 140 vs 180 (p <0.05). Mean delta height/age Z score at the first year: 0.5 vs 0.15; 0.7 vs 0.22; 0.97 vs 0.25 (p <0.05). Mean systolic blood pressure Z score: 0.9 vs 1.5; 0.5 vs 0.9; -0.3 vs 0.8; 0.1 vs 1.0 (p <0.05). The height/age Z score was significantly superior in patients without steroids. A normalization of growth patterns at month 18 was observed (< 0.05). Both groups presented a negative variation of creatinine clearance during the follow-up, but it was minor in the study group (p <0.05). Two acute rejections were found in each group, and no difference in CMV infections...
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Infant , Male , Middle Aged , Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage , Kidney Transplantation/immunology , Mycophenolic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Steroids/administration & dosage , Tacrolimus/administration & dosage , Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage , Creatinine/blood , Drug Therapy, Combination , Follow-Up Studies , Graft Rejection/prevention & control , Kidney Transplantation/adverse effects , Mycophenolic Acid/administration & dosage , Prospective Studies , Recombinant Fusion Proteins/administration & dosageABSTRACT
When the use of dialytical therapy is decided after a careful assessment of clinical and laboratory variables, the close supervision of the procedure, that allows a feedback between our indications and its clinical efficacy, is essential. The correct and routine use of validated adequacy tools such as Kt/V and the Peritoneal Equilibration Test (PET) is mandatory. We compare the adequacy figures for adult and pediatric populations, mentioning the Kt/V and PET values obtained in eight patients followed during 12 months in a Nephrology Unit. An initial Kt/V of 2.04 and of 2.14 after 12 months of procedure are values that adjust to the general recommendations discussed in this paper. According to PET results, this group of patients were classified as low average for ultrafiltration and high average for creatinine clearance. Based on the local experience and literature review, some recommendations are made for the management of peritoneal dialysis in children