Long-term management of immunosuppression after pediatric liver transplantation: is minimization or withdrawal desirable or possible or both?

ABSTRACT:

Purpose of review

The aim is to review available data regarding the risks and benefits of indefinite immunosuppression against attempted immunosuppression withdrawal for children who have undergone liver transplantation.

Recent findings

Emerging data suggest that conventional immunosuppression practices may well be responsible for a substantial proportion of the long-term mortality and morbidity burden borne by pediatric liver transplant recipients. The cumulative risk of chronic kidney disease, infection, malignancy, and cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia appear to threaten the health and well being of children more than that of acute or chronic allograft rejection. In parallel, single-center experiences have suggested that gradua

SUBMITTER: Feng S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2727645 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature