Low-dose steroids do make a difference: Independent risk factors for impaired linear growth after pediatric liver transplantation.

Growth failure persists after pediatric liver transplantation and impairs pediatric development and quality of life. Steroid dose minimization attempts to prevent growth impairment, yet long-term assessment in pediatric liver recipients is lacking. We identified risk factors for impaired linear growth after pediatric liver transplantation, with a special focus on low-dose steroid therapy. This is a single-center retrospective analysis of height development in pediatric liver recipients up to 5 years after transplantation. Risk factors for impaired linear growth (height Z-scores≤-2) at transplantation, after two (n = 347) and five years (n = 210) were identified by univariate and multivariate logistic regression. At transplantation, growth retardation was found in 52.2%, predominantly younger children. Height Z-scores improved from -2.23 to -1.40 (SE 0.11; 95%CI 0.74-1.16; p < .001) two years and -1.19 (SE 0.07;0.08-0.34; p = .017) five years post-transplant. Multivariate analysis showed previous growth impairment (OR=1.484; 95%-CI=1.107-1.988; p = .004), graft loss (49.006;2.232-1076; p = .006), and prolonged cold ischemic time (1.034;1.007-1.061; p = .011) as main long-term risk factors; steroid use was a significant predictor of 2-year but not 5-year growth impairment. In univariate analysis, impaired growth after 2 and 5 years was associated with continuous low-dose (2.5 mg/m2 BSA) steroid therapy (OR=3.323;1.578-6.996; p < .001/OR=8.352;1.089-64.07; p = .006)and graft loss (OR=2.513;1.395-4.525; p = .003/OR=3.378;1.815-7.576; p < .001). Furthermore, indication and era of transplantation affected growth. Our results show significant catch-up growth after pediatric liver transplantation, yet growth failure strongly affects particularly young liver recipients. The main influenceable long-term risk factor is pre-existing growth failure, emphasizing the importance of early aggressive nutritional therapy. Moreover, low-dose steroid therapy might impair growth and should therefore be critically questioned in long-term immunosuppression.