Abstract:
Objective To investigate the growth and development of children after liver transplantation.
Methods Seventy children who underwent liver transplantation in Beijing Friendship Hospital and Tianjin First Central Hospital from September 2006 to May 2014 were included in the study. Height Z-scores (ZH) and weight Z-scores (ZW) of each child were respectively calculated at transplantation and 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years, 4 years and 5 years after transplantation. The change trends of ZH and ZW at each time point were analyzed. Moreover, ZH and ZW at each time point were compared with the standardized mean of growth 0 (standardized mean) formulated according to the survey data of children's physical development in nine provinces and municipalities in 2005. Children were divided into Z≥-2 group and Z < -2 group according to ZH and ZW at transplantation. And the change trend of ZH and ZW of each group was compared.
Results The mean of ZH and ZW at the time of liver transplantation was -1.63±1.35 and -1.53±1.52 respectively. After liver transplantation, ZH and ZW increased gradually. ZH and ZW of children before transplantation and 6 months after transplantation were significantly lower than standardized mean (all in P < 0.01). ZH and ZW in other postoperative periods had no statistical significance with standardized mean (all in P>0.05). There were significant difference between ZH≥-2 group and ZH < -2 group at transplantation and 6 months and 1 year after transplantation (both in P < 0.05). Zw of Zw≥-2 group and Zw < -2 group at transplantation and 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after transplantation had difference with statistical significance (all in P < 0.05).
Conclusions The growth and development of children with liver transplantation recover gradually and increase significantly at 1 year after transplantation.