Present status of pediatric living-donor liver transplantation in National Center for Child Health and Development

PURPOSE: We reviewed our initial experience of pediatric living-donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in National Center for Child Health and Development and report the results herein. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We have done 103 cases of LDLT during November 2005 through September 2009 in National Center for Child Health and Development. Variables including indication of liver transplantation/infectious/immunological outcome were reviewed. RESULTS: The indication for liver transplantation was cholestatic liver disease in 43.76%, followed by metabolic liver disease 24.3% and acute liver failure 18.5%. The mean age of recipient was 3.6 +/- 4.2 years and body weight was 14.4 +/- 11.1kg. Immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus and low-dose steroids. The incidence of acute cellular rejection was 33.3%. The graft and patient survival were 92.2%. CONCLUSION: Satisfactory result can be achieved on LDLT program in National Center for Child Health and Development. The follow-up period was too short to make definitive conclusion, however, long-term observation may be necessary to collect sufficient data for the establishment of the treatment modality.