Endocrine Disorders in Pediatric and Adolescent Liver-transplant Recipients.

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.