A recent study (MG Bowring et al. JPGN 2020; 70: 356-63) provides data on pediatric liver transplantation (LT) survival rates and projected survival rates.
This retrospective cohort study included 13,442 first-time pediatric (<18) LT recipients from 1987-2018.
Key findings:
- Projected 20-year survival rate for pediatric LT from 2007-18: 84.0%
- Prior 20-year survival rates: 72.8% (1997-2006 cohort) and 63.6% (1987-1996 cohort)
- Projected 30-year survival rates for pediatric LT from 2007-18: 80.1%
- Prior 30-year survival rates: 68.6% (1997-2006 cohort) and 57.5% (1987-1996 cohort)
- Projected outcomes with split LT (28% of 2007-2018 cohort) are similar to outcomes with whole LT
My take: While projections can overestimate and underestimate survival rates, the clear trend has been a remarkable improvement in long-term outcomes. This published data can provide current expectations when counseling families, though with ongoing improvements in management/development of tolerance, the hope is for even better outcomes.
Related blog posts:
- Pediatric Liver Transplantation: Past Time to Split
- Teaching an Old Liver New Tricks | gutsandgrowth
- Weak Link in Liver Transplantation Survival
- Geographic Inequities in Liver Transplantation GutsAndGrowth
- Should Younger Transplant Patients Receive Better Organs GutsAndGrowth
- Picking winners and losers with liver transplantation … – gutsandgrowth
- Liver Transplant Recipients Are Getting Older | gutsandgrowth
- Need Liver, Will Travel | gutsandgrowth
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