Changes in body mass parameters in a paediatric renal transplant population in different stages of social lockdown during the coronavirus pandemic

ABSTRACT

Background: Renal transplant patients are at greater risk of cardiovascular disease than the general population. Excess weight is a significant risk factor for all patients, with weight gain post-transplant a particular concern. Methods: This retrospective observational study of children attending the renal transplant clinic monitored changes in weight and body mass index over the first 12 months of the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic, during which multiple restrictions on socialising and school attendance occurred. Results: 46 post-kidney transplant patients at least 6 months post-transplant were included. 26 patients gained weight, 11 patients had stable weight and 9 lost weight. The mean weight z-score across the patient cohort increased from -0.053 at start of lockdown 1, to 0.132 4 months post-lockdown 1, increasing further to 0.196 after lockdown 2. Mean BMI z-score increased from 0.633 at onset of lockdown to 0.788 at end of lockdown 1. Conclusion: The majority of paediatric post-kidney transplant patients demonstrated increases in weight and BMI z-score over the periods of lockdown. The potential consequences of the pandemic and societal responses continue to emerge.