Transient hyperphosphatasemia after pediatric liver transplantation.
BACKGROUND
Transient hyperphosphatasemia of infancy and early childhood is characterized by transiently increased serum activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), predominantly its bone or liver isoform, in children under 5 years of age. There is little information on the rate of transient hyperphosphatasemia in pediatric liver transplant recipients.


METHODS
Patients who underwent liver transplantation at Ege University Organ Transplantation and Research Center, Izmir, Tureky, between January 1998 and January 2005, were included in the study. A total of 70 paediatric liver recipients' medical records were analyzed retrospectively.


RESULTS
Transient isolated hyperphosphatasemia was observed in two of 70 patients and the rate of transient hyperphosphatasemia was estimated to be 2.8% in pediatric liver transplant recipient. Diarrheal episode was noted prior to the peak ALP activity in both cases. In one case the causative agent was not found, whereas in the other case Rotavirus was detected in a stool specimen. ALP activity normalized at 4 months and 18 days in the first and second cases, respectively. They continue follow up at the outpatient clinics with stable graft function.


CONCLUSIONS
It is important to know that very high ALP levels can be seen without underlying significant pathology and the benign nature of the condition to avoid unnecessary investigations.
Arikan
Cigdem
C
Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Ege University School of Medicine, Organ Transplantation and Research Center, Izmir, Turkey. cigdem.arikan@ege.edu.tr
Arslan
Mehmet Tayyip
MT
Kilic
Murat
M
Aydogdu
Sema
S
D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000097:blood; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008659:Metabolic Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014421:Turkey
D007527:Isoenzymes; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase