Low-dose cyclosporin A therapy in cadaver renal transplantation in children.
Fifty-one pediatric patients undergoing a first cadaveric kidney transplantation were followed for at least 2 years after grafting. They were divided into two groups: those treated with methylprednisolone plus azathioprine (AZA) and those treated with methylprednisolone plus low-dose cyclosporin A (CyA; median dose 109 mg/m2 per day = 3.4 mg/kg per day after 1 year). The steroid dosage given was significantly lower in the second group. The 4-year graft survival rate was 68% for the AZA group and 78% for the CyA group. Renal function did not differ significantly in the two groups; after 1, 2, and 3 years, the median 24-h creatinine clearance was 79, 69, and 51 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively, for the AZA group and 78, 63, and 68 ml/min/1.73 m2, respectively, for the CyA group. Linear growth was similar in the two groups. We conclude that in pediatric patients the results of low-dose CyA immunosuppression do not differ significantly from those obtained with AZA in terms of graft survival, renal function, or growth.
Ruder
H
H
Division of Pediatric Nephrology, University Hospital, Heidelberg, Federal Republic of Germany.
Strehlau
J
J
Schaefer
F
F
Gretz
N
N
Müller-Wiefel
D E
DE
Bonzel
K E
KE
Möhring
K
K
Pomer
S
S
Mehls
O
O
Schärer
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage
D003524:Cyclosporins; D001379:Azathioprine; D008775:Methylprednisolone