Factors affecting catch-up growth after liver transplantation.

Background: The reported incidence of catch-up growth following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) ranges widely, from 0% to 97%.

Objective: We undertook bivariate analysis of multiple factors that might affect post-OLT growth in children undergoing OLT, and described the results with different parameters used to determine catch-up growth.

Methods: Eighty patients met the inclusion criteria.

Two- to three-fold increase in blood tacrolimus (FK506) levels during diarrhea in liver-transplanted children.

Background: The diagnosis and treatment of diarrhea in liver transplant recipients often pose a challenge owing to the variety of infectious and non-infectious causes. However, diagnosis is principally focused on ruling out an infectious etiology. Tacrolimus, an immunosuppressive agent generally used after liver transplantation, is absorbed mainly from the duodenum through the upper jejunum.