Survival after first esophageal variceal hemorrhage in patients with biliary atresia

A new criterion including the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index and liver and spleen stiffness to rule out varices needing treatment in children with biliary atresia: Modification of the Baveno VII criteria

AIMS

Biliary atresia (BA) is a congestive biliary disease that develops in the neonatal period or early infancy. It may present with portal hypertension and varices needing treatment (VNT) even after successful Kasai portoenterostomy. This study aimed to stratify the risk of VNT in children and adolescents with BA.

METHODS

In this prospective cross-sectional study, we measured liver stiffness (LS) and spleen stiffness (SS) by two-dimensional shear wave elastography and checked for VNT endoscopically in 53 patients with BA who attended for follow-up between July 2018 and September 2022. Varices needing treatment were defined as large esophageal varices, esophageal varices of any size with red color signs, and/or gastric varices along the cardia.

RESULTS

Twenty-five patients (aged 0-18 years) had VNT. Eighteen patients met the Baveno VI criteria (LS <20 kPa; platelet count >150 000/L) and were deemed to be at low risk of VNT (spared endoscopies) while three had missed VNT (16.7%). Applying the Baveno VII criteria, which combines the SS cut-off value of 40 kPa with the Baveno VI criteria, resulted in five missed VNTs among 22 spared endoscopies (22.7%). A modification of the Baveno VII criteria using the aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) instead of the platelet count with cut-off values of 25 kPa, 30 kPa, and 1.04 for LS, SS, and APRI, respectively, missed only one VNT (5.0%) among 20 spared endoscopies.

CONCLUSIONS

A novel diagnostic criterion that combines LS, SS, and APRI reduced the risk of missing VNT to 5% in children and adolescents with BA.

Diseases of bile duct in children

Several diseases originate from bile duct pathology. Despite studies on these diseases, certain etiologies of some of them still cannot be concluded. The most common disease of the bile duct in newborns is biliary atresia, whose prognosis varies according to the age of surgical correction. Other diseases such as Alagille syndrome, inspissated bile duct syndrome, and choledochal cysts are also time-sensitive because they can cause severe liver damage due to obstruction. The majority of these diseases present with cholestatic jaundice in the newborn or infant period, which is quite difficult to differentiate regarding clinical acumen and initial investigations. Intraoperative cholangiography is potentially necessary to make an accurate diagnosis, and further treatment will be performed synchronously or planned as findings suggest. This article provides a concise review of bile duct diseases, with interesting cases.

PREDICTIVE FACTORS OF MORBIDITY ASSOCIATED WITH ESOPHAGEAL VARICEAL BLEEDING IN CHILDREN WITH PORTAL HYPERTENSION

•Most data on the natural history of portal hypertension come from studies in adults. •The morbidity rate of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in children with portal hypertension tend to be underestimated. •This study showed the relevance of morbidity rates after variceal hemorrhage in pediatric patients, especially those with cirrhosis. •Patients with hemodynamic instability requiring blood transfusion or expansion on admission are at increased risk of complications secondary to upper gastrointestinal bleeding and should be closely monitored. Background - Most data on the natural history of portal hypertension come from studies in adults. The morbidity rate of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (UGIB) in children with portal hypertension has not been systematically characterized. Objective - To describe the morbidity and mortality of UGIB in pediatric patients with portal hypertension and identify predictive factors for the occurrence of its main complications. Methods - This retrospective study included pediatric patients with cirrhotic portal hypertension or with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction (EHPVO). Mortality and UGIB complications within a period of up to 6 weeks of the bleeding were investigated. To determine the predictive factors of morbidity, a multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression; all results were considered significant at P<0.05. Results - A total of 86 patients (51.2% with EHPVO and 48.8% with cirrhosis) had 174 bleeding events. Ascites was the most common complication (43.1% of all cases), being more prevalent in patients with cirrhosis (P<0.001). Cirrhosis was a predictor of the occurrence of any morbidity (OR 20.3). The need for blood transfusion was predictor of at least one complication (OR 5.8), ascites (OR 7.2) and infections (OR 3.8) in the general group and at least one complication (OR 11.3) and ascites (OR 5.8) in cirrhotic patients. The need for expansion was a predictor of any morbidity (OR 4.6) and infections (OR 3.9) in the general group, in addition to being predictor of infection in cirrhotic patients (OR 5.4). There were no deaths from UGIB in the six weeks post-bleeding. Conclusion - The study showed the relevance of morbidity after UGIB in pediatric patients with portal hypertension, especially in those with cirrhosis. The patients with hemodynamic instability requiring blood transfusion or expansion on admission are at increased risk of complications related to upper gastrointestinal bleeding and should be closely monitored.

Endoscopic injection sclerotherapy with polidocanol for cardiac varices in children and adolescents

BACKGROUND

Like esophageal varices, cardiac varices are often treated with endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL). However, we previously reported that EVL for cardiac varices may be associated with a high risk of rebleeding from the ulcer if the O-ring spontaneously drops off early. The efficacy and safety of para-variceal endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) with polidocanol for the treatment of cardiac varices in children and adolescents were evaluated.

METHODS

Eleven patients under 18 years of age with portal hypertension who underwent para-variceal EIS with polidocanol for cardiac varices with red signs, which were considered to be at high risk of bleeding, were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS

One session of para-variceal polidocanol-EIS was performed for each of the 11 patients. One patient experienced temporary hypoxia due to aspiration of saliva when the tracheal intubation tube was removed after the procedure but recovered by endotracheal suctioning; there were no other adverse events. In six of the eight cases in which efficacy could be evaluated, eradication of cardiac varices was achieved.

CONCLUSION

Para-variceal polidocanol-EIS may be considered instead of EVL for small cardiac varices with red signs in pediatric patients with cardiac varices.

The presence of high-risk varices after sclerotherapy in biliary atresia

BACKGROUND

Esophagogastric varices (EGVs) may develop as a result of portal hypertension in children with biliary atresia (BA). Although endoscopic injection sclerotherapy (EIS) with ethanolamine oleate (EO) is reported useful for children, risk factors associated with the presence of high-risk EGVs after treatment remain unknown.

METHODS

The subjects were BA patients under 15 years of age who underwent EO-EIS. We retrospectively reviewed a total of 28 treatment sessions of EGVs with red signs and those larger than F2, which were considered to be at high risk of bleeding. Survival analysis was performed for the presence of high-risk EGVs at the time of follow-up endoscopy as the occurrence of an event.

RESULTS

Univariate analysis showed a significantly increased risk of the presence of high-risk EGVs post-EO-EIS in patients with increased liver stiffness (LS) and Mac-2 binding protein glycan isomer (M2BPGi), with hazard ratios of 1.48 and 1.15, respectively. The median presence-free period was significantly shorter in the LS ≥ 2.8 m/s patients than in those with LS <2.8 m/s (189 vs. 266 days). Similarly, the median presence-free period was significantly shorter in patients with M2BPGi ≥ 4.0 than in those with M2BPGi < 4.0 (182 vs. 203 days). The results of multivariate analysis revealed that the risk of the presence of high-risk EGVs was significantly higher only in the high-LS group, with a hazard ratio of 2.76.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased LS is associated with risk of the presence of high-risk EGVs following EO-EIS in children with BA.

[Postoperative Imaging Findings of Biliary Atresia]

The Kasai portoenterostomy is the first-line treatment for the restoration of the flow of bile to the small intestine in patients with biliary atresia. Various complications can occur after Kasai portoenterostomy, including ascending cholangitis, biliary cirrhosis, and portal hypertension. Of these potential complications, ascending cholangitis in the most common. In cases of patients having uncontrolled complications due to progressive liver cirrhosis, portal hypertension, or progressive hyperbilirubinemia, liver transplantation is the indicated as treatment plan. Lifelong follow-up, particularly involving imaging studies, is important for the identification of various complications arising from biliary atresia after Kasai portoenterostomy. Additionally, imaging studies play a crucial role in the evaluation of potential liver donors and recipients. US is a key imaging modality utilized in the management of patients who undergo Kasai portoenterostomy, while CT and MRI are imperative to obtaining an accurate diagnosis.

Risk of variceal hemorrhage and pretransplant mortality in children with biliary atresia

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

The natural history of gastroesophageal variceal hemorrhage (VH) in biliary atresia (BA) is not well characterized. We analyzed risk factors, incidence, and outcomes of VH in a longitudinal multicenter study.

APPROACH AND RESULTS

Participants enrolled in either an incident (Prospective Database of Infants with Cholestasis [PROBE]) or prevalent (Biliary Atresia Study of Infants and Children [BASIC]) cohort of BA were included. Variceal hemorrhage (VH) was defined based on gastrointestinal bleeding in the presence of varices accompanied by endoscopic or nontransplant surgical intervention. Cumulative incidence of VH and transplant-free survival was compared based on features of portal hypertension (e.g., splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia) and clinical parameters at baseline in each cohort (PROBE: 1.5 to 4.5 months after hepatoportoenterostomy [HPE]; BASIC: at enrollment > 3 years of age). Analyses were conducted on 869 children with BA enrolled between June 2004 and December 2020 (521 in PROBE [262 (51%) with a functioning HPE] and 348 in BASIC). The overall incidence of first observed VH at 5 years was 9.4% (95% CI: 7.0-12.4) in PROBE and 8.0% (5.2-11.5) in BASIC. Features of portal hypertension, platelet count, total bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), albumin, and AST-to-platelet ratio index at baseline were associated with an increased risk of subsequent VH in both cohorts. Transplant-free survival at 5 years was 45.1% (40.5-49.6) in PROBE and 79.2% (74.1-83.4) in BASIC. Two (2.5%) of 80 participants who had VH died, whereas 10 (12.5%) underwent transplant within 6 weeks of VH.

CONCLUSIONS

The low risk of VH and associated mortality in children with BA needs to be considered in decisions related to screening for varices and primary prophylaxis of VH.

Impact of the Kasai Procedure and the Length of Native Liver Survival Time on Outcomes of Liver Transplantation for Biliary Atresia

The aim is to explore the impact of the Kasai procedure (KP) and the length of native liver survival time (NLST) on outcomes of liver transplantation (LT). Patients with biliary atresia (BA), who underwent LT in Beijing Friendship Hospital from January 2017 to December 2019, were enrolled and divided into non-KP (N-KP) and post-KP (P-KP) groups. The patients in the P-KP group were further divided into early failure (KP-EF) defined by NLST <1 year, medium failure (KP-MF, NLST 1-5 years), and late failure (KP-LF, NLST >5 years) subgroups. Clinical data at baseline and during follow-up were collected. The inverse probability of treatment weighting method was used to evaluate the independent effect of KP and the length of NLST on clinical outcomes. Among 197 patients with BA, the N-KP group accounted for 43 (21.8%), KP-EF 71 (46.1%), KP-MF 59 (38.3%), and KP-LF 24 (15.6%) cases, respectively. The N-KP and KP-EF groups had significantly longer hospitalization and intensive care unit stays after LT. Graft and overall survival rates were 93.0% in the N-KP group and 97.4% in P-KP group, respectively. The mortality rate in the P-KP group were significantly lower compared with that of the N-KP group with a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.2 (P = 0.02). The risks of biliary and vascular complications and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after LT were significantly higher in KP-EF group than those in the KP-MF and KP-LF groups (HRs = 0.09, 0.2, and 0.3, respectively; all P < 0.001). The KP significantly improved after LT overall survival. Patients with early native liver failure after KP have significantly higher risks for biliary and vascular complications and CMV infection.

Mortality, Risk Factors and Disparities Associated with Esophageal Variceal Bleeding in Children's Hospitals in the US

OBJECTIVES

To use a large administrative database to determine the mortality, risk factors, and comorbidities of esophageal variceal bleeding in children.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study using Pediatric Health Information System data from 50 tertiary children's hospitals in the US. International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes (FY 2020 ICD-10 update and revision 10 of ICD-9) from 2004 through 2019 identified children 18 years and younger with variceal bleeding and complications. Univariate analyses used the Student t -test for continuous variables (age) and the χ² test for categorical variables (all others). A mixed-effects linear regression was performed for multiple variables.

RESULTS

There were 1902 patients who had 3399 encounters for esophageal variceal bleeding. The mortality rate for variceal bleeding was 7.3%, increasing to 8.8% by 6 weeks; any mortality during the study was 20.1%. Transfusion was required in 54.7% of encounters, and 42.6% were admitted to the intensive care unit. Variceal bleeding encounters were complicated by peptic ulcer disease (6.9%), bacteremia (11.4%), acute renal failure (5.1%), mechanical ventilation (18%), ascites (21.3%), and peritonitis (3.3%). Multivariable mixed-effects logistic regression showed that Black race (OR, 2.59; P < .001) or Hispanic ethnicity (OR, 2.31; P = .001), but not sex, household income, or insurance type, were associated with increased mortality. Bacteremia, peritonitis, mechanical ventilation, acute renal failure, and transfusion were associated with higher mortality (ORs of 2.29, 2.18, 1.93, 6.33, and 1.81, respectively; P < .001, .005, .011, <.001, and .005, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The 6-week mortality rate for variceal bleeding in children is 8.8%. Black or Hispanic children are at higher risk of dying. Serious morbidities associated with variceal hemorrhage impact mortality. These data can inform consideration of prophylactic or therapeutic interventions for children at risk.

Beta-blockers versus placebo or no intervention for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis

BACKGROUND

Portal hypertension commonly accompanies advanced liver disease and often gives rise to life-threatening complications, including haemorrhage from oesophageal and gastrointestinal varices. Variceal haemorrhage commonly occurs in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis. Therefore, prevention is important. Band ligation, beta-blockers, and sclerotherapy have been proposed as alternatives for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children. However, primary prophylaxis is not the current standard of care in paediatric patients because it is unknown whether those treatments are of benefit or harm when used for primary prophylaxis in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the benefits and harms of beta-blockers compared with placebo or no intervention for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, CENTRAL, PubMed, Embase, LILACS, and Science Citation Index Expanded (April 2020). We screened the reference lists of the retrieved publications and manually searched the main paediatric gastroenterology and hepatology conference (NASPGHAN and ESPGHAN) abstract books from 2008 to December 2019. We searched clinicaltrials.gov, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) for ongoing clinical trials. We imposed no language or document type restrictions on our search.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We planned to include randomised clinical trials, irrespective of blinding, language, or publication status to assess benefits and harms. We included observational studies, retrieved with the searches for randomised clinical trials, for a narrative report of harm.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We planned to summarise data from randomised clinical trials by standard Cochrane methodologies. We planned to asses risk of bias and use GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence. Our primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, serious adverse events and liver-related morbidity, and health-related quality of life. Our secondary outcomes were oesophageal variceal bleeding and adverse events not considered serious. We planned to use intention-to-treat principle. We planned to analyse data with RevMan Analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

We found no randomised clinical trials that assessed beta-blockers compared with sham or no intervention for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis. We found four observational studies that reported on harms. As a systematic search for observational studies was not planned, we only listed the reported harms in a table.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Randomised clinical trials assessing the benefits or harms of beta-blockers versus placebo or no intervention for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis are lacking. Therefore, trials with adequate power and proper design, assessing the benefits and harms of beta-blockers versus placebo on patient-relevant clinical outcomes, such as mortality, quality of life, failure to control variceal bleeding, and adverse events are needed. Unless such trials are conducted and the results become published, we cannot make any conclusions regarding the benefits or harms of the two interventions.

Band ligation versus sham or no intervention for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children and adolescents with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis

BACKGROUND

Portal hypertension commonly accompanies advanced liver disease and often gives rise to life-threatening complications, including bleeding (haemorrhage) from oesophageal and gastrointestinal varices. Variceal bleeding commonly occurs in children and adolescents with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis. Prevention is, therefore, important. Randomised clinical trials have shown that non-selective beta-blockers and endoscopic variceal band ligation decrease the incidence of variceal bleeding in adults. In children and adolescents, band ligation, beta-blockers, and sclerotherapy have been proposed as primary prophylaxis alternatives for oesophageal variceal bleeding. However, it is unknown whether these interventions are of benefit or harm when used for primary prophylaxis in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and harms of band ligation compared with sham or no intervention for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children and adolescents with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, CENTRAL, PubMed, Embase, and two other databases (April 2020). We scrutinised the reference lists of the retrieved publications, and we also handsearched abstract books of the two main paediatric gastroenterology and hepatology conferences from January 2008 to December 2019. We also searched clinicaltrials.gov, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Medicines Agency (EMA), and the World Health Organization (WHO) for ongoing clinical trials. We imposed no language or document type restrictions on our search.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We aimed to include randomised clinical trials irrespective of blinding, language, or publication status, to assess the benefits and harms of band ligation versus sham or no intervention for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis. If the search for randomised clinical trials retrieved quasi-randomised and other observational studies, then we read them through to extract information on harm.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard Cochrane methodology to perform this systematic review. We used GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence for each outcome. Our primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, serious adverse events and liver-related morbidity, and quality of life. Our secondary outcomes were oesophageal variceal bleeding and adverse events not considered serious. We used the intention-to-treat principle. We analysed data using Review Manager 5.

MAIN RESULTS

One conference abstract, describing a feasibility multi-centre randomised clinical trial, fulfilled our review inclusion criteria. We judged the trial at overall high risk of bias. This trial was conducted in three hospital centres in the United Kingdom. The aim of the trial was to determine the feasibility and safety of further larger randomised clinical trials of prophylactic band ligation versus no active treatment in children with portal hypertension and large oesophageal varices. Twelve children received prophylactic band ligation and 10 children received no active treatment. There was no information on the age of the children included, or about the diagnosis of any child included. All children were followed up for at least six months. Mortality was 8% (1/12) in the band ligation group versus 0% (0/10) in the no active intervention group (risk ratio (RR) 2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11 to 56.25; very low certainty of evidence). The abstract did not report when the death occurred, but we assume it happened between the six-month follow-up and one year. No child (0%) in the band ligation group developed adverse events (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.01 to 6.25; very low certainty of evidence) but one child out of 10 (10%) in the no active intervention group developed idiopathic thrombocytopaenic purpura. One child out of 12 (8%) in the band ligation group underwent liver transplantation versus none in the no active intervention group (0%) (RR 2.54, 95% CI 0.11 to 56.25; very low certainty of evidence). The trial reported no other serious adverse events or liver-related morbidity. Quality of life was not reported. Oesophageal variceal bleeding occurred in 8% (1/12) of the children in the band ligation group versus 30% (3/10) of the children in the no active intervention group (RR 0.28, 95% CI 0.03 to 2.27; very low certainty of evidence). No adverse events considered non-serious were reported. Two children were lost to follow-up by one-year. Ten children in total completed the trial at two-year follow-up. There was no information on funding.  We found two observational studies on endoscopic variceal ligation when searching for randomised trials. One found no harm, and the other reported E nterobacter cloacae septicaemia in one child and mild, transient, upper oesophageal sphincter stenosis in another. We did not assess these studies for risk of bias. We did not find any ongoing randomised clinical trials of interest to our review.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The evidence, obtained from only one feasibility randomised clinical trial at high risk of bias, is very scanty. It is very uncertain about whether prophylactic band ligation versus sham or no (active) intervention may affect mortality, serious adverse events and liver-related morbidity, or oesophageal variceal bleeding in children and adolescents with portal hypertension and large oesophageal varices. We have no data on quality of life. No adverse events considered non-serious were reported. The results presented in the trial need to be interpreted with caution. In addition, the highly limited data cover only part of our research question; namely, children with portal hypertension and large oesophageal varices. Data on children with portal vein thrombosis are lacking. Larger randomised clinical trials assessing the benefits and harms of band ligation compared with sham treatment for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children and adolescents with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis are needed. The trials should include important clinical outcomes such as death, quality of life, failure to control bleeding, and adverse events.

Band ligation versus sclerotherapy for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis

BACKGROUND

Portal hypertension commonly accompanies advanced liver disease and often gives rise to life-threatening complications, including haemorrhage from oesophageal and gastrointestinal varices. Variceal haemorrhage commonly occurs in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein obstruction. Prevention is therefore important. In adults, numerous randomised clinical trials have demonstrated benefits of non-selective beta-blockers and endoscopic variceal ligation as primary prevention in decreasing the risk of variceal haemorrhage. In children, band ligation, beta-blockers, and sclerotherapy have been proposed as alternatives for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding. However, primary prophylaxis is not the current standard of care in children because it is unknown whether those treatments are of benefit or cause harm when used for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the benefits and harms of band ligation versus sclerotherapy for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children and adolescents with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, CENTRAL, PubMed, Embase, LILACS, and Science Citation Index Expanded (27 April 2020). We scrutinised the reference lists of retrieved publications, and performed a manual search from the main paediatric gastroenterology and hepatology conferences (NASPGHAN and ESPGHAN) abstract books from 2008 to 2019. We searched ClinicalTrials.gov, FDA, EMA, and WHO for ongoing clinical trials. There were no language or document type restrictions.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We planned to include randomised clinical trials irrespective of blinding, language, or publication status for assessment of benefits and harms. If the search for randomised clinical trials retrieved quasi-randomised and observational studies, then we read them through to extract information on harms.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We planned to summarise data from randomised clinical trials by standard Cochrane methodologies. We planned to assess risk of bias and use GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence per outcome. Our primary outcomes were all-cause mortality, serious adverse events and liver-related morbidity, and quality of life. Our secondary outcomes were oesophageal variceal bleeding and adverse events not considered serious. We planned to analyse data with intention-to-treat. We planned to use Review Manager 5 to analyse the data.

MAIN RESULTS

We found no randomised clinical trials assessing band ligation versus sclerotherapy for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Randomised clinical trials assessing the benefits or harms of band ligation versus sclerotherapy for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis are lacking. Therefore, trials with adequate power and proper design, assessing the benefits and harms of band ligation versus sclerotherapy on patient-relevant clinical outcomes such as mortality, quality of life, failure to control variceal bleeding, and adverse events are needed. Unless such trials are conducted and the results become published, we cannot make any conclusions regarding the benefits or harms of these two interventions.

Predictors of Short-Term Outcome of Kasai Portoenterostomy for Biliary Atresia in Infants: a Single-Center Study

PURPOSE

The outcome predictors of Kasai portoenterostomy (KPE) for biliary atresia (BA) are controversial. This study aimed to identify possible short-term outcome predictors of KPE for BA in infants.

METHODS

This retrospective study included infants with BA who underwent KPE between January 2015 and December 2017 and were followed up for at least 6 months after surgery at the Pediatric Hepatology Unit, Cairo University Pediatric Hospital, Egypt. The short-term outcome was jaundice clearance within 6 months following surgery. All data were compared between the jaundice free group and those with persistent jaundice to identify the predictors of jaundice clearance.

RESULTS

The study included 75 infants. The mean age at the time of surgery was 82.43±22.77 days (range, 37-150 days), and 28 (37.3%) infants cleared their jaundice within 6 months postoperative. Age at surgery did not significantly affect the outcome (p=0.518). Infants with persistent jaundice had significantly higher pre-operative levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) than those who were jaundice free (p=0.041). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that preoperative AST ≤180 IU/L was predictive of a successful KPE, with sensitivity 74.5% and specificity 60.7%. Infants with bile plugs in liver biopsy had a 6-fold higher risk of persistent jaundice than those without bile plugs (95% confidence interval: 1.59-20.75, p=0.008).

CONCLUSION

Jaundice clearance after KPE for BA can be predicted using preoperative AST and presence of bile plugs in liver biopsy.

Sclerotherapy versus sham or no intervention for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis

BACKGROUND

Portal hypertension commonly accompanies advanced liver disease and often gives rise to life-threatening complications, including bleeding (haemorrhage) from oesophageal and gastrointestinal varices. Variceal bleeding commonly occurs in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein obstruction. Therefore, prevention is important. Primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in adults is the established standard of care because of the results of numerous randomised clinical trials demonstrating the efficacy of non-selective beta-blockers or endoscopic variceal ligation in decreasing the incidence of variceal bleeding. In children, band ligation, beta-blockers, and sclerotherapy have been proposed as alternatives for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding. However, it is unknown whether those treatments are of benefit or harm when used for primary prophylaxis in children.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and harms of sclerotherapy compared with sham or no intervention for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, CENTRAL, PubMed, Embase Elsevier, and two other registers in February 2019. We scrutinised the reference lists of the retrieved publications, and performed a manual search of the main paediatric gastroenterology and hepatology conference (NASPGHAN and ESPGHAN) abstracts from January 2008 to December 2018. We searched four registries for ongoing clinical trials. There were no language or document type restrictions.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised clinical trials irrespective of blinding, language, or publication status assessing sclerotherapy versus sham or no intervention for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We used standard Cochrane methodology to perform this systematic review. We used the intention-to-treat principle to analyse outcome data, and GRADE to assess the certainty of evidence per outcome.

MAIN RESULTS

We found only one randomised clinical trial that fulfilled our inclusion criteria. The trial was at high risk of bias. The trial included 108 Brazilian children with median age of 4.3 years (range 11 months to 13 years). Fifty-six children were randomised to prophylactic sclerotherapy (ethanolamine oleate 2%) and 52 children to no intervention (control). Children were followed up for a median of 4.5 years. Eight children (six from the sclerotherapy group versus two from the control group) dropped out before the end of the trial. The follow-up was from 18 months to eight years. Mortality was 16% (9/56 children) in the sclerotherapy group versus 15% (8/52 children) in the control group (risk ration (RR) 1.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.44 to 2.50; very low-certainty evidence). Upper gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 21% (12/56) of the children in the sclerotherapy group versus 46% (24/52) in the control group (RR 0.46, 95% CI 0.26 to 0.83; very low-certainty evidence). There were more children with congestive hypertensive gastropathy in the sclerotherapy group than in the control group (14% (8/56) versus 6% (3/52); RR 2.48, 95% CI 0.69 to 8.84; very low-certainty evidence). The incidence of gastric varices was similar between the sclerotherapy group and the control group (11% (6/56) versus 10% (5/52); RR 1.11, 95% CI 0.36 to 3.43; very low-certainty evidence). The incidence of bleeding from gastric varices was higher in the sclerotherapy group than in the control group (4% (3/56) versus 0% (0/52); RR 6.51, 95% CI 0.34 to 123.06; very low-certainty evidence). The study did not assess health-related quality of life. Oesophageal variceal bleeding occurred in 5% (3/56) of the children in the sclerotherapy group versus 40% (21/52) of the children in the control group (RR 0.13, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.42; very low-certainty evidence). The most prevalent complications (defined as non-serious) were pain and fever after the procedure, which promptly resolved with analgesics. However, numerical data on the frequency of these adverse events and their occurrences in the two groups were lacking. No funding information was provided. We found no ongoing trials.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

The evidence, obtained from one randomised clinical trial at high risk of bias, is very uncertain on whether sclerotherapy has an influence on mortality and if it may decrease first upper gastrointestinal or oesophageal variceal bleeding in children. The evidence is very uncertain on whether sclerotherapy has an influence on congestive hypertensive gastropathy, incidence on gastric varices, and incidence of bleeding from gastric varices. Health-related quality of life was not measured. There were no serious events caused by sclerotherapy, and analysis of non-serious adverse events could not be performed due to lack of numerical data. The GRADE assessment of each outcome showed a very low-certainty evidence. The results of the trial need to be interpreted with caution. Larger randomised clinical trials, following the SPIRIT and CONSORT statements, assessing the benefits and harms of sclerotherapy compared with sham or no intervention for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis are needed. The trials should include important clinical outcomes such as death, failure to control bleeding, and adverse events.

Sclerotherapy versus beta-blockers for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children and adolescents with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis

BACKGROUND

Portal hypertension commonly accompanies advanced liver disease and often gives rise to life-threatening complications, including bleeding (haemorrhage) from oesophageal and gastrointestinal varices. Variceal bleeding commonly occurs in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein obstruction. Prevention is therefore important. Primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in adults is the established standard of care because of the results of numerous randomised clinical trials demonstrating the efficacy of non-selective beta-blockers or endoscopic variceal ligation in decreasing the incidence of variceal bleeding. However, sclerotherapy is the only endoscopic prophylactic option currently available in infants weighing less than 10 kg of bodyweight due to the size of the endoscopic ligator.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the benefits and harms of sclerotherapy versus any type of beta-blocker for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children and adolescents with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register, CENTRAL, PubMed, Embase Elsevier, LILACS (Bireme), and Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science) in February 2019. We scrutinised the reference lists of the retrieved publications and performed a manual search from the main paediatric gastroenterology and hepatology conferences (NASPGHAN and ESPGHAN) abstract books from January 2008 to December 2018. We searched ClinicalTrials.gov, FDA, EMA, and WHO, for ongoing clinical trials. There were no language or document type restrictions.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We planned to include randomised clinical trials irrespective of blinding, language, or publication status, assessing sclerotherapy versus any type of beta-blocker for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children and adolescents with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis. We planned to include quasi-randomised and other observational studies retrieved with the searches for randomised clinical trials for report of harm.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We planned to collect and summarise data from randomised clinical trials as described in our protocol, using standard Cochrane methodologies.

MAIN RESULTS

We found no randomised clinical trials assessing sclerotherapy versus beta-blockers for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children and adolescents with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Randomised clinical trials assessing the benefits or harms of sclerotherapy versus beta-blockers for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children and adolescents with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis are lacking. Therefore, trials with adequate power and proper design, assessing the benefits and harms of sclerotherapy versus beta-blockers on patient-relevant clinical outcomes such as mortality, failure to control bleeding, and adverse events are needed. Unless such trials are conducted and the results become published, we cannot make any conclusions regarding the benefits or harms of the two interventions.

Spleen stiffness by 2-D shear wave elastography is the most accurate predictor of high-risk esophagogastric varices in children with biliary atresia

AIM

Esophagogastric variceal hemorrhage is a cause of poor prognosis in patients with biliary atresia (BA). To prevent variceal hemorrhage, simple and reliable screening methods for high-risk esophagogastric varices (HR-EGV) are needed. We evaluated the efficacy of liver stiffness (LS) and spleen stiffness (SS) as measured by 2-D shear wave elastography (2D-SWE), which was reported to be more accurate than transient elastography, for detecting HR-EGV in children with BA.

METHODS

Thirty-four children with BA were enrolled. Both LS and SS were measured by 2D-SWE. The presence of large esophageal varices or esophageal varices of any size with red wale marking and/or the presence of gastric varices along the cardia were defined as HR-EGV. Clinical data were collected and previously reported prediction indices for varices were calculated.

RESULTS

Liver stiffness and SS were obtained from all patients. Fourteen patients showed HR-EGV. Significantly different variables between patients with and without HR-EGV were as follows: spleen diameter (116 mm vs. 95 mm), clinical prediction rule (104.7 vs. 124.7), King's variceal prediction score (78.8 vs. 99.4), aspartic aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (2.03 vs. 0.98), LS (2.63 m/s vs. 1.87 m/s), and SS (4.44 m/s vs. 3.69 m/s). The highest area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for detecting HR-EGV was that for SS (0.900), and the cut-off SS of 4.12 m/s yielded 92.9% sensitivity and 90% specificity. The intraclass correlation coefficient for intra-observer reproducibility was 0.828.

CONCLUSIONS

Spleen stiffness from 2D-SWE offered the most accurate predictor of HR-EGV in BA children.

Band ligation versus beta-blockers for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis

BACKGROUND

Portal hypertension commonly accompanies advanced liver disease and often gives rise to life-threatening complications, including haemorrhage from oesophageal and gastrointestinal varices. Variceal haemorrhage commonly occurs in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein obstruction. Prevention is therefore important. Following numerous randomised clinical trials demonstrating efficacy of non-selective beta-blockers and endoscopic variceal ligation in decreasing the incidence of variceal haemorrhage, primary prophylaxis of variceal haemorrhage in adults has become the established standard of care. Hence, band ligation and beta-blockers have been proposed to be used as primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the benefits and harms of band ligation compared with any type of beta-blocker for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched The Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Controlled Trials Register (February 2019), CENTRAL (December 2018), PubMed (December 2018), Embase Ovid (December 2018), LILACS (Bireme; January 2019), and Science Citation Index Expanded (Web of Science; December 2018). We scrutinised the reference lists of the retrieved publications and performed a manual search from the main paediatric gastroenterology and hepatology conferences (NASPGHAN and ESPGHAN) abstract books from 2009 to 2018. We searched ClinicalTrials.gov for ongoing clinical trials. There were no language or document type restrictions.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We planned to include randomised clinical trials irrespective of blinding, language, or publication status for assessment of benefits and harms. We planned to also include quasi-randomised and other observational studies retrieved with the searches for randomised clinical trials for report of harm.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

We planned to summarise data from randomised clinical trials using standard Cochrane methodologies.

MAIN RESULTS

We found no randomised clinical trials assessing band ligation versus beta-blockers for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Randomised clinical trials assessing the benefits or harms of band ligation versus beta-blockers for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis are lacking. There is a need for well-designed, adequately powered randomised clinical trials to assess the benefits and harms of band ligation versus beta-blockers for primary prophylaxis of oesophageal variceal bleeding in children with chronic liver disease or portal vein thrombosis. Those randomised clinical trials should include patient-relevant clinical outcomes such as mortality, failure to control bleeding, and adverse events.

Non-Invasive Predictors for the First Variceal Hemorrhage in Children With Biliary Atresia After Kasai Portoenterostomy

BACKGROUND/AIM

: Portal hypertension and variceal hemorrhage (VH) are significant complications in biliary atresia (BA). The study aims to evaluate risk factors and noninvasive markers that predict actual VH for the first time in children with BA without prior endoscopic surveillance or treatment.

METHODS

Retrospective review was performed of patients diagnosed with BA from 1989 to 2016 at a single center. Primary outcome was the first episode of VH. Patients were stratified into VH and non-VH groups according to the development of VH, and laboratory and ultrasonographic data were analyzed at 2 time points: pre-VH and the last follow-up. Existing indices, varices prediction rule (VPR), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-platelet ratio index (APRI) were also applied retrospectively to evaluate their performance in prediction of VH in our cohort.

RESULTS

Seventy-two patients were included; 16 patients developed the first VH at median age of 5.5 years. On univariate analysis, serum albumin (P = 0.034), AST (P = 0.017), hemoglobin (P = 0.019), platelet count (P = <0.001), spleen size Z-score (P = <0.001), and rate of splenic enlargement (P = 0.006) were associated with VH. On multivariable regression analysis, only platelet count was independently predictive (P = 0.041). The optimal cutoff values for prediction of the first VH were platelet count ≤100 × 10⁹/L (sensitivity 75.0%, specificity 80.4%, positive predictive value [PPV] 52.2%, negative predictive value [NPV] 91.8%), VPR ≤3.0 (sensitivity 81.3%, specificity 85.7%, PPV 61.9%, NPV 94.1%), and APRI ≥3.0 (sensitivity 81.3%, specificity 76.8%, PPV 50.0%, NPV 93.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

Platelet count <100 × 10⁹/L and VPR <3.0 are simple, reproducible and effective noninvasive markers in predicting the first episode of acute VH in children with BA and may be used in pediatrics for the selection of patients to undergo primary prophylactic endoscopic therapy.

Noninvasive Methods of Predicting Large Esophageal Varices in Children With Intrahepatic Portal Hypertension

OBJECTIVE

Esophageal variceal bleeding is a severe complication of portal hypertension. The standard diagnostic screening test and therapeutic procedure for esophageal varices (EV) is endoscopy, which is invasive in pediatric patients. This study aimed to evaluate the role of noninvasive parameters as predictors of large varices in children with intrahepatic portal hypertension.

METHODS

Participants included in this cross-sectional study underwent a screening endoscopy. Variceal size, red marks, and portal gastropathy were assessed and rated. Patients were classified into two groups: Group 1 (G1) with small or no varices and Group 2 (G2) with large varices. The population consisted of 98 children with no history of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, with a mean age of 8.9 ± 4.7 years. The main outcome evaluated was the presence of large varices.

RESULTS

The first endoscopy session revealed the presence of large varices in 32 children. The best noninvasive predictors for large varices were platelets (Area under the ROC Curve [AUROC] 0.67; 95% CI 0.57-0.78), the Clinical Prediction Rule (CPR; AUROC 0.65; 95% CI 0.54-0.76), and risk score (AUROC 0.66; 95% CI 0.56-0.76). The logistic regression model showed that children with a CPR value under 114 were 8.59 times more likely to have large varices. Risk scores higher than -1.2 also increased the likelihood of large varices (OR 6.09; P = 0.014), as did a platelet count/spleen size z score lower than 25 (OR 3.99; P = 0.043). The combination of these three tests showed a high negative predictive value.

CONCLUSIONS

The CPR, the risk score, and the platelet count/spleen size z score could be helpful in identifying cirrhotic children who may be eligible for endoscopy.

Portal hypertension and its management in children

Portal hypertension (PHT), defined as raised intravascular pressure in the portal system, is a complication of chronic liver disease or liver vascular occlusion. Advances in our ability to diagnose and monitor the condition but also predict the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding have enabled us to optimise the management of children with PHT either at a surveillance or at a postbleeding stage. A consensus among paediatric centres in the classification of varices can be beneficial in streamlining future paediatric studies. New invasive (endoscopic and surgical procedures) and non-invasive (pharmacotherapy) techniques are currently used enabling clinicians to reduce mortality and morbidity in children with PHT.

Pediatric Liver Transplantation: Unique Concerns for the Critical Care Team

Liver transplantation originated in children more than 50 years ago, and these youngest patients, while comprising the minority of liver transplant recipients nationwide, can have some of the best and most rewarding outcomes. The indications for liver transplantation in children are generally more diverse than those seen in adult patients. This diversity in underlying cause of disease brings with it increased complexity for all who care for these patients. Children, still being completely dependent on others for survival, also require a care team that is able and ready to work with parents and family in addition to the patient at the center of the process. In this review, we aim to discuss diagnoses of particular uniqueness or importance to pediatric liver transplantation. We also discuss the evaluation of a pediatric patient for liver transplant, the system for allocating them a new liver, and also touch on postoperative concerns that are unique to the pediatric population.

Survey on Clinical Practice of Primary Prophylaxis in Portal Hypertension in Children

Primary prophylaxis in portal hypertension in children is controversial, because there are few studies documenting its efficacy on the risk of bleeding. Twenty-eight centres out of the 38 we contacted returned a completed questionnaire about their clinical practices. More than 75% of the centres use endoscopy to screen patients diagnosed with portal cavernoma, biliary atresia, cystic fibrosis, and other fibrotic chronic liver diseases with suspected portal hypertension. In cases of grade 2 varices with red marks and grade 3 varices >90% of centres perform sclerotherapy or endoscopic variceal ligation. Noncardioselective beta-blockers were used by approximately 20% of centres. In conclusion, despite the absence of scientific recommendations there is a tacit consensus concerning the need to screen children with clinical signs of portal hypertension, and to provide primary prophylaxis in cases of endoscopic patterns of high-risk varices.

King's Variceal Prediction Score: A Novel Noninvasive Marker of Portal Hypertension in Pediatric Chronic Liver Disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Variceal haemorrhage can be a life-threatening complication of chronic liver disease in children. There is limited evidence about the optimal prophylactic management and selection criteria of children who will benefit from upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

METHODS

Children presenting in our centre with suspected portal hypertension or gastrointestinal bleeding and undergoing their first oesophagogastroduodenoscopy between 2005 and 2012 were included. Clinical, biochemical, and radiological data were collected. A separate validation cohort from May 2013 to October 2014 was obtained.

RESULTS

Data on 124 treatment-naïve patients were collected; 50% had biliary atresia. Thirty-five (28%) children presented with gastrointestinal bleeding and overall 79 (64%) had clinically significant (grade II-III) varices. Clinical prediction rule, aspartate aminotransferase-platelet ratio index, and varices prediction rule had at optimal cut-off sensitivity and specificity of 76% and 59%, 60% and 55%, and 80% and 59%, respectively. Logistic regression yielded a new prediction rule of (3 × albumin ([g/dL]) -  (2 - equivalent adult spleen size [cm]). This King's variceal prediction score had a favourable areas under the curve of 0.772 (0.677-0.867) compared to clinical prediction rule 0.732 (0.632-0.832). At the optimal cut-off of 76 this yielded a sensitivity and specificity of 72% and 73% and a positive and negative predictive value of 82% and 60%, respectively. In the validation cohort areas under the curve was 0.818 (0.654-0.995) with sensitivity and specificity of 78% and 73%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our new prediction score may be a useful tool in the selection of children with clinically significant varices eligible for a screening endoscopy.

Angiogenesis and portal-systemic collaterals in portal hypertension

In patients with advanced liver disease with portal hypertension, portal-systemic collaterals contribute to circulatory disturbance, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, hepatic encephalopathy, ascites, hepatopulmonary syndrome and portopulmonary hypertension. Angiogenesis has a pivotal role in the formation of portal-systemic shunts. Recent research has defined many of the mediators and mechanisms involved in this angiogenic process, linking the central roles of hepatic stellate cells and endothelial cells. Studies of animal models have demonstrated the potential therapeutic impact of drugs to inhibit angiogenesis in cirrhosis. For example, inhibition of VEGF reduces portal pressure, hyperdynamic splanchnic circulation, portosystemic collateralization and liver fibrosis. An improved understanding of the role of other angiogenic factors provides hope for a novel targeted therapy for portal hypertension with a tolerable adverse effect profile.

A conceptual and practical approach to haemostasis in paediatric liver disease

Children with liver disease can develop severe bleeding episodes and thrombosis. Liver failure usually results in decreased levels of procoagulant and anticoagulant factors. Additional risk factors, including changes in vascular flow and endothelial function, are of importance for the development of bleeding or thrombosis in individual vascular beds. Detailed studies of haemostatic disturbances in the setting of paediatric liver disease are sparse and extrapolation from adult studies is common. The spectrum of liver diseases and the haemostatic system differs between children and adults. Specific paediatric liver diseases are reported to have more distinctive effects on haemostasis and the risk of bleeding and/or thrombosis.

CONCLUSION

we propose a model regarding haemostasis in paediatric liver disease, taking into account a number of specific variables and mechanisms, as well as the type of liver disease, which will provide a framework for clinical decision-making in these complex patients.

Primary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding in children and the role of MesoRex Bypass: Summary of the Baveno VI Pediatric Satellite Symposium

Approaches to the management of portal hypertension and variceal hemorrhage in pediatrics remain controversial, in large part because they are not well informed by rigorous clinical studies. Fundamental biological and clinical differences preclude automatic application of approaches used for adults to children. On April 11-12, 2015, experts in the field convened at the first Baveno Pediatric Satellite Meeting to discuss and explore current available evidence regarding indications for MesoRex bypass (MRB) in extrahepatic portal vein obstruction and the role of primary prophylaxis of variceal hemorrhage in children. Consensus was reached regarding MRB. The vast majority of children with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction will experience complications that can be prevented by successful MRB surgery. Therefore, children with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction should be offered MRB for primary and secondary prophylaxis of variceal bleeding and other complications, if appropriate surgical expertise is available, if preoperative and intraoperative evaluation demonstrates favorable anatomy, and if appropriate multidisciplinary care is available for postoperative evaluation and management of shunt thrombosis or stenosis. In contrast, consensus was not achieved regarding primary prophylaxis of varices. Although variceal hemorrhage is a concerning complication of portal hypertension in children, the first bleed appears to be only rarely fatal and the associated morbidity has not been well characterized.

CONCLUSION

There are few pediatric data to indicate the efficacy and safety of pharmacologic or endoscopic therapies as primary prophylaxis or that prevention of a sentinel variceal bleed will ultimately improve survival; therefore, no recommendation for primary prophylaxis with endoscopic variceal ligation, sclerotherapy, or nonspecific beta-blockade in children was proposed.

Biliary Atresia: Clinical Lessons Learned

Biliary atresia is a rare disease of unclear etiology, in which obstruction of the biliary tree causes severe cholestasis leading to cirrhosis and ultimately death if left untreated. Biliary atresia is the leading cause of neonatal cholestasis and the most frequent indication for pediatric liver transplantation. Any infant with persistent jaundice beyond 2 weeks of life needs to be evaluated for biliary atresia with fractionation of the bilirubin into conjugated and unconjugated portions. Early performance of a hepatoportoenterostomy in the first 45 days of life to restore bile flow and lessen further damage to the liver is thought to optimize outcome. Despite surgery, progressive liver scarring occurs, and 80% of patients with biliary atresia will require liver transplantation during childhood.

Screening and Prophylaxis for Varices in Children with Liver Disease

Esophageal varices in children with portal hypertension are quite common. Bleeding from these varices frequently occurs. Prophylactic measures to prevent such bleeding can be undertaken either before ("primary," prompted by a screening endoscopy) or after ("secondary") an initial variceal bleed. There are no clear pediatric guidelines for primary or secondary prophylaxis of esophageal varices. Adult studies clearly support the use of pharmacologic (beta blockers) and endoscopic (endoscopic band ligation, EBL) management for both primary and secondary prophylaxis of esophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension. Pediatric studies are limited. There are inadequate data to recommend use of beta blockers to prevent variceal bleeding or rebleeding in children with portal hypertension. There is very limited support for EBL for primary prophylaxis in children and more compelling support for EBL for secondary prophylaxis. Further randomized controlled studies are needed but are difficult to implement in this vulnerable population.

Progression to high-risk gastroesophageal varices in children with biliary atresia with low-risk signs at first endoscopy

OBJECTIVES

Biliary atresia carries a risk of bleeding because of portal hypertension. Our goal was to define the factors associated with the emergence of endoscopic signs carrying a high risk of bleeding in children who did not display these signs at the first upper gastrointestinal endoscopy.

METHODS

From 1989 to 2013, a total of 225 children with low-risk signs at the first endoscopic examination underwent ≥2 upper gastrointestinal endoscopic examinations. The emergence of high-risk gastroesophageal varices was observed in 76 children in the 10 years following the first endoscopic examination. A survival study using the occurrence of high-risk varices as an event was performed to identify factors related to the emergence of these varices and to describe the probability of their emergence in 2 groups of children ages older than 18 months and 18 months or younger at the time of the first endoscopy.

RESULTS

High total serum bilirubin concentration, young age, and high number/grade of esophageal varices at the first endoscopy were significantly related to the emergence of high-risk varices. The probability of the emergence of high-risk signs was higher and these signs appeared faster in infants 12 months of age or younger and/or when the first endoscopic examination displayed >1 grade 1 or grade 2 varices. Progression to high-risk varices was also related to bilirubinemia in children older than 18 months at the first endoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

The results allow defining a program of repeat endoscopies to detect high-risk varices and to discuss endoscopic primary prophylaxis of bleeding or hasten liver transplantation when these signs are found.

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic variceal ligation to prevent rebleeding in children with esophageal varices

After an episode of acute bleeding from esophageal varices, patients are at a high risk for recurrent bleeding and death. However, there are few reports regarding the long-term results of secondary prophylaxis using endoscopic variceal ligation (EVL) against variceal rebleeding in pediatrics. Thirty-seven, who were followed for over 3 yr post-eradication, were included in the study. The mean duration of follow up after esophageal variceal eradication was 6.4±1.9 yr. The mean time required to achieve the eradication of varices was 3.25 months. The mean number of sessions and O-bands needed to eradicate varices was 1.9±1.2 and 3.8±1.5, respectively. During the period before the first EVL treatment, 145 episodes of bleedings developed in 37 children. Over the 3 yr of follow-up after variceal eradication, only 4 episodes of rebleeding developed in 4 of 37 patients. The four rebleeding episodes consisted of an esophageal variceal bleed, a gastric variceal bleed, a duodenal ulcer bleed, and a bleed caused by hemorrhagic gastritis. There was no mortality during long-term follow up after variceal eradication. During long-term follow up after esophageal variceal eradication using solely EVL in children with esophageal variceal bleeds, rebleeding episodes and recurrence of esophageal varices were rare. EVL is a safe and highly effective method for the long-term prophylaxis of variceal rebleeding in children with portal hypertension.

Experience with endoscopic management of high-risk gastroesophageal varices, with and without bleeding, in children with biliary atresia

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Biliary atresia, the most common cause of childhood cirrhosis, increases the risks for portal hypertension and gastrointestinal bleeding. We report the results from a single-center study of primary and secondary prophylaxis of bleeding in children with portal hypertension and high-risk varices.

METHODS

We collected data from 66 children with major endoscopic signs of portal hypertension, including grade 3 esophageal varices or grade 2 varices with red wale markings and/or gastric varices, treated consecutively from February 2001 through May 2011. Thirty-six children (mean age, 22 mo) underwent primary prophylaxis (sclerotherapy and/or banding, depending on age and weight). Thirty children (mean age, 24 mo) who presented with gastrointestinal bleeding received endoscopic treatment to prevent a relapse of bleeding (secondary prophylaxis).

RESULTS

In the primary prophylaxis group, a mean number of 4.2 sessions were needed to eradicate varices; no bleeding from gastroesophageal varices was observed after eradication. Varices reappeared in 37% of children, and 97% survived for 3 years. In the secondary prophylaxis group, a mean number of 4.6 sessions was needed to eradicate varices. Varices reappeared in 45%, and 10% had breakthrough bleeding; 84% survived for 3 years. There were no or only minor complications of either form of prophylaxis.

CONCLUSIONS

Endoscopic therapy as primary or secondary prophylaxis of bleeding appears to be well tolerated and greatly reduces the risk of variceal bleeding in children with biliary atresia and high-risk gastroesophageal varices. However, there is a risk that varices will recur, therefore continued endoscopic surveillance is needed.

Portal hypertension in children and young adults with biliary atresia

OBJECTIVE

Biliary atresia (BA) frequently results in portal hypertension (PHT), complications of which lead to significant morbidity and mortality. The Childhood Liver Disease Research and Education Network was used to perform a cross-sectional multicentered analysis of PHT in children with BA.

METHODS

Subjects with BA receiving medical management at a Childhood Liver Disease Research and Education Network site were enrolled. A priori, clinically evident PHT was defined as "definite" when there was either history of a complication of PHT or clinical findings consistent with PHT (both splenomegaly and thrombocytopenia). PHT was denoted as "possible" if one of the findings was present in the absence of a complication, whereas PHT was "absent" if none of the criteria were met.

RESULTS

A total of 163 subjects were enrolled between May 2006 and December 2009. At baseline, definite PHT was present in 49%, possible in 17%, and absent in 34% of subjects. Demographics, growth, and anthropometrics were similar amongst the 3 PHT categories. Alanine aminotransferase, γ-glutamyl transpeptidase, and sodium levels were similar, whereas there were significant differences in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), AST/alanine aminotransferase, albumin, total bilirubin, prothrombin time, white blood cell count, platelet count, and AST/platelet count between definite and absent PHT. Thirty-four percent of those with definite PHT had either prothrombin time >15 seconds or albumin <3 g/dL.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinically definable PHT is present in two-thirds of North American long-term BA survivors with their native livers. The presence of PHT is associated with measures of hepatic injury and dysfunction, although in this selected cohort, the degree of hepatic dysfunction is relatively mild and growth is preserved.

Endoscopic surveillance and primary prophylaxis sclerotherapy of esophageal varices in biliary atresia

OBJECTIVES

Evidence-based recommendations on endoscopic screening and prophylactic treatment of esophageal varices in patients with biliary atresia (BA) are scarce. We assessed the efficiency of endoscopic surveillance and risk factors of esophageal varices and associated upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

METHODS

A total of 47 consecutive children with BA and portoenterostomy underwent yearly endoscopies and prophylactic injection sclerotherapy of esophageal varices between 1987 and 2009. The median follow-up was 1.7 years (range 0.5-18.9) and overall 2-year survival 71%. Disease characteristics, clearance of jaundice, laboratory tests reflecting liver function and hypersplenism, as well as sonographic signs of portal hypertension were related to endoscopic findings and bleeding episodes.

RESULTS

Grade 2 to 3 varices developed with similar frequency after failed (18/28, 64%) and successful portoenterostomy (10/19, 53%) in 28 patients. Following failed portoenterostomy, esophageal varices were encountered significantly earlier (8 [4-23] vs. 19 [4-165] months, P = 0.004), and they reappeared after eradication more often (16/16 vs. 4/10, P = 0.001). Varices bled only after failed portoenterostomy (13/28 vs. 0/19, P < 0.001). Increased serum bilirubin concentration >40 μmol/L at 3 months after portoenterostomy was a risk factor of upper gastrointestinal bleeding (odds ratio [OR] 17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.7-175, P = 0.017).

CONCLUSIONS

In future studies as well as clinical surveillance of BA patients' varices, successful and failed portoenterostomy patients should be approached as separate groups with divergent prognoses. After failed portoenterostomy, surveillance should start early, for example, at 6 months.

Less-invasive MR indices of clinically evident esophageal variceal bleeding in biliary atresia patients

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Esophageal variceal hemorrhaging is potentially life threatening for long-term survivors of biliary atresia. We evaluated the feasibility of less-invasive parameters for predicting the presence of clinically significant esophageal variceal bleeding in biliary atresia patients.

METHODS

A total of 30 patients aged 108-5314 days (median = 285 days) with biliary atresia underwent a magnetic resonance examination with fast spin-echo T2-weighted imaging and spin-echo, T1-weighted images with fat saturation after use of a contrast medium on a 1.5-tesla scanner. The splenic length-platelet ratio was divided by the each patient's body height (m) to produce the corrected splenic length-platelet ratios. In addition, the splenic volume index-to-platelet count ratio was divided by the patient's body weight (kg) to produce a corrected ratio.

RESULTS

The corrected splenic length-platelet ratio was more significantly increased in 21 patients with esophageal variceal bleeding (Group A) than in nine patients without variceal bleeding [(Group B) 0.98 ± 0.64 vs. 0.44 ± 0.18, p < 0.01]. The splenic volume index-to-platelet count ratio corrected by body weight was significantly larger in Group A (510.7 ± 536.2) than in Group B (148.1 ± 88.9, p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Less-invasive indices, including the corrected splenic length platelet ratio and the splenic volume index-to-platelet count ratio, may be valuable predictors of esophageal variceal bleeding in patients with biliary atresia.

Current concepts in pediatric liver transplantation

Liver transplantation is the definitive treatment for end-stage liver disease in both children and adults. Advances over the last 2 decades have resulted in excellent patient and graft survival rates in what were previously cases of fatal disorders. These developments have been due to innovations in surgical technique, increased surgical experience, refinements in immunosuppressive regimens, quality improvements in intraoperative anesthetic management, better understanding of the pathophysiology of the liver diseases, and better preoperative and postoperative care. Remarkably, the use of split-liver and living-related liver transplantation surgical techniques has helped mitigate the well-recognized national organ shortage. This review will discuss the major aspects of pediatric liver transplantation as it pertains to indication for transplantation, recipient selection and listing for orthotopic liver transplantation, pre-orthotopic liver transplantation care of children, optimal timing of orthotopic liver transplantation, surgical technical considerations, postoperative care and complications, and patient and graft survival outcomes.

Etiology and management of hemorrhagic complications of portal hypertension in children

PORTAL HYPERTENSION IN CHILDREN REPRESENTS A PARTICULAR DIAGNOSTIC AND MANAGEMENT CHALLENGE FOR SEVERAL REASONS: (1) treatment outcomes should be evaluated in relationship with a long-life expectancy, (2) pediatric patients with portal hypertension constitute an heterogeneous population, both in terms of individual characteristics and diversity of liver diseases; making comparison between treatment outcomes very difficult, (3) application of techniques and procedures developed in adult patients (v.gr. TIPS) face size limitations in small children, and (4) absence of data from well-controlled trials in children forces pediatric specialists to adapt results obtained from adult cohorts suffering from diseases such as HCV and alcoholic cirrhosis. Despite those limitations, substantial progress in the treatment of children with portal hypertension has been achieved in recent years, with better outcomes and survival. Two main factors influence our therapeutic decision: age of the patient and etiology of the liver disease. Therefore, diagnosis and treatment of complications of portal hypertension in children need to be described taking such factors into consideration. This paper summarizes current knowledge and expert opinion.