Long-term outcome of liver transplantation in childhood: A study of 20-year survivors

We report the results of a study of survival, liver and kidney functions, and growth with a median follow-up of 24 years following liver transplantation in childhood. From 1988 to 1993, 128 children underwent deceased donor liver transplantation (median age: 2.5 years). Twenty-year patient and graft survival rates were 79% and 64%, respectively. Raised serum aminotransferase and/or γ-glutamyl transferase activities were present in 42% of survivors after a single transplantation. Graft histology (35 patients) showed signs of chronic rejection in 11 and biliary obstruction in 5. Mean total fibrosis scores were 4.5/9 and 3/9 in patients with abnormal and normal serum liver tests, respectively. Glomerular filtration rate was <90 mL·min^-1 in 35 survivors, including 4 in end-stage renal disease who were undergoing dialysis or had undergone renal transplantation. Median final heights were 159 cm for women and 172 cm for men; final height was below the target height in 37 patients. Twenty-year survival after childhood liver transplantation may be close to 80%, and final height is within the normal range for most patients. However, chronic kidney disease or altered liver biochemistries are present in over one third of patients, which is a matter of concern for the future.

[Alkaptonuria: a rare cause of urine discoloration. Report of a case in a newborn]

Alcaptonuria is a rare hereditary disease, characterized by an abnormal blackish coloration of the urine and dark pigmentation of the conjunctive tissue which is due to a deficiency in homogentisate 1,2-dioxygenase (HGO), a phenylalanine catabolizing enzyme. An accumulation of homogentisate (HGA) is then formed, and is responsible for the dark coloration which only occurs after the urine has been exposed to air over a period of time. Signs of this disorder therefore frequently remain unnoticed during childhood, because the urine requires a relatively long exposure to air before it changes color. Diagnosis is generally made at a later date, during adulthood, following complications such as ochronosis, inflammatory arthritis, or urinary calculi.

CASE REPORT

In this study, the case has been described of alcaptonuria diagnosed in a five-month old infant. No efficient cure has yet been found, although certain treatments, including high doses of vitamin C, do seem to have a beneficial effect on limiting the complications associated with this disorder. Early diagnosis whenever possible is therefore important.

CONCLUSION

This case report is interesting because of the early diagnosis involved. In the event of any abnormal coloration of the urine, diagnosis may be established via the addition of an alkylating agent, and the levels of HGA determined by chromatography.