Efficacy and safety of basiliximab in pediatric liver transplantation

Objective To evaluate the safety of basilliximab in pediatric liver transplantation (PLT). Methods Retrospectively, 256 cases (hospitalized from Jan. 2014 to Dec. 2015) were divide into groups in terms of inclusion and exclusion criteria. A group of 137 children transplanted under tacrolimus-steroid as baseline immunosuppressants combined with basilliximab induction (basilliximab group), and a group of 84 PLT recipients were treated with a tacrolimus-steroid regimen (control group) were set up. Two groups were compared regarding rejection incidence, infectious complications, as well as the kidney function and electrolyte within the three months after operations. Results Infectious complications and rejection incidence were 32.8% and 8.3% in basilliximab group, versus 27.4% and 14.3% in control group (all P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the levels of blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, calcium, potassium and phosphate between two groups. Conclusion Although basilliximab may decrease the rejection incidence, the effect is not significant. The main reason may be the small sample size, and further observation is still needed. Key words: basiliximab; liver tranplantation; children; safety; kidneyfunction; electrolyte