The Italian experience on paediatric liver transplantation: 1988-1999 report.
BACKGROUND
Liver transplantation is the treatment of choice for end-stage liver disease in both adult and paediatric patients. The Italian experience in paediatric liver transplantation during the period 1988-1999 is reported herein.


METHODS
This report concerns 228 liver transplantations performed in 207 patients (100 male, 107 female, mean age 5.1+/-4.4 years) in 11 Italian centres. The mean waiting time on the transplantation list was 6.1+/-8.9 months and the main indications for the procedure were biliary atresia, inborn metabolic disorders, liver cirrhosis, liver neoplasms, Alagille syndrome, and fulminant hepatic failure.


RESULTS
The cumulative survival rate was 77%, 76%, 73%, and 71% at 1, 3, 5, and 7 years. The overall prevalence of acute rejection was 54%. Survival was significantly affected by re-transplantation (p=0.0002), by United Network for Organ Sharing 4 status at transplantation (p=0.016), and, among the indications for the procedure, by fulminant hepatic failure (p=0.004). Fifty patients (24%) died during the observation period. The main causes of death were primary non-function of the graft and sepsis


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that liver transplantation in paediatric age, in Italy, is an effective procedure providing a 5-year survival rate comparable to that attained in the largest published series.
Pompili
M
M
Dept. of Internal Medicine and Geriatrics, Catholic University of Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy. mpompili@rm.unicatt.it
Mirante
V G
VG
Fagiuoli
S
S
Beccaria
S
S
Leandro
G
G
Rapaccini
G L
GL
Gasbarrini
A
A
Naccarato
R
R
Pagliaro
L
L
Rizzetto
M
M
Gasbarrini
G
G
D002423:Cause of Death; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000401:mortality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D015996:Survival Rate