Monitoring Practices After Pediatric Liver Transplantation.

Creator(s)

Voytek Slowik, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Jamie L. Ryan, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Amit A. Shah
Steven J. Lobritto

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-1-2023

Identifier

DOI: 10.1097/MPG.0000000000003909

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to understand the current monitoring practices after pediatric liver transplantation (LT), specifically regarding follow-up clinic visits, outpatient laboratory testing, protocol biopsies, and diagnostic imaging, and to identify potential center and provider characteristics associated with such practices.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of pediatric LT providers at centers participating in the Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT) registry was conducted from February 2020 to April 2021.

RESULTS: The overall response rate was 79% (38/48 SPLIT centers), with the majority representing large volume centers (>10 LTs per year). Frequency of clinic visits and laboratory monitoring varied by center, but all centers decreased frequency after the first post-transplant year. The most common practice included an annual clinic visit and laboratory sampling every 2-3 months. Surveillance liver biopsy is seldom done during the first post-transplant year, while being routinely performed by 50% of centers after this time period. Centers forgoing surveillance biopsies assert that the results would likely not change management. Only 39% of centers have a hepatologist perform the liver biopsy while the remaining centers consult interventional radiology. Most diagnostic imaging is obtained only as needed. Routine abdominal ultrasounds were obtained by only 50% of responding centers after the first year post-transplant.

CONCLUSIONS: SPLIT centers vary widely in the routine management of LTs after the first year post-transplant. While common themes emerge, future studies will be needed to connect protocols to outcomes to determine best practice.

Journal Title

Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition

Volume

77

Issue

4

First Page

448

Last Page

454

MeSH Keywords

Humans; Child; Liver Transplantation; Cross-Sectional Studies; Biopsy; Ambulatory Care; Ambulatory Care Facilities

Keywords

Liver Transplantation; Cross-Sectional Studies; Biopsy; Ambulatory Care; Ambulatory Care Facilities

Comments

Grants and funding

• 2020 SPLIT RFA/Societies for Pediatric Liver Transplantation

Recommended Citation

Slowik V, Ryan JL, Shah AA, Lobritto SJ. Monitoring Practices After Pediatric Liver Transplantation. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2023;77(4):448-454. doi:10.1097/MPG.0000000000003909