Endocrine Disorders in Pediatric and Adolescent Liver-transplant Recipients

Abstract

Background: Particular requirements of pediatric and adolescent liver-transplant (LT) recipients necessitate the evaluation of such population from the endocrine viewpoint.

Objective: To determine the endocrine disorders among LT recipients.

Methods: 129 LT recipients younger than 18 years, and at least 6 months post-LT with no pervious history of endocrine disorders were included in the study. Demographic, anthropometric and biochemical data were collected.

Results: 36% of cases had evidence of impaired fasting glucose; the problem, however, was dramatically resolved (decreased to 2.3%) by using of prediabetic diet. Identifying only 1 case of primary hypothyroidism indicated that thyroid dysfunction seems not to be a prevalent finding in the patients. 3 cases of rickets and no case of parathyroid dysfunction were identified. 11% of the study population were hypocalcemic (2 had rickets as well). Pubertal condition in 3 patients and delayed puberty before LT in 6 remained the same; further evaluation revealed they had hypogonadotropic hypogonadism.

Conclusion: Regular monitoring for development of diabetes and hypocalcemia is indicated. Evaluation of those with delayed puberty for receiving sexual hormones is also recommended.