Risk factors for fungal infection in paediatric liver transplant recipients.

Fungal infection (FI) is a major and potentially fatal complication in liver transplantation (LT). Published experience of FI in paediatric LT is limited. We therefore reviewed case records of 79 children, aged between 0.

Cystatin C, an easy and reliable marker for assessment of renal dysfunction in children with liver disease and after liver transplantation.

Renal dysfunction of variable severity is being increasingly recognized as a major complication of calcineurin inhibitors (CI), in some patients even necessitating renal transplantation. Close and effective monitoring of the renal function is indicated. Current methods for this monitoring are calculation of the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) based on creatinine or exogenous substances like 51Cr-EDTA.

Calcineurin-inhibitor related nephrotoxicity- reversibility in paediatric liver transplant recipients.

Aim: To study the efficacy of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as renal rescue in paediatric liver transplant recipients with calcineurin-inhibitor- (CI) related nephrotoxicity.

Methods: Pediatric liver transplant recipients with stable graft function and a glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <80 ml/min/1.73 m2 were enrolled.

Assessing palliative care educational needs of physicians and nurses: results of a survey. Greater Victoria Hospital Society Palliative Care Committee.

The Greater Victoria Hospital Society (GVHS) Palliative Care Committee surveyed medical and nursing staff from four hospitals and The Victoria Hospice Society in February, 1993. The purpose of the survey was to identify physicians' and nurses' perceived educational needs related to death and dying. Programs that focus on the dying process; patient pain, symptom, and comfort control; and patient and family support were identified as necessary to meet the educational needs of physicians and nurses in providing quality palliative care.

Comfort levels with the dying.

Most people who know they are near death would prefer to die at home or in a home environment. Currently, hospice and community programs that allow such options are being established in some provinces. However, these programs are relatively new and in short supply.