Synthetic liver function at 10 years was preserved in all patients. The annual rate of episodes of acute rejection dropped markedly after the first year (1.4 at year 1 to 0.19 rejections/patient/year at year 10). Histologically confirmed chronic rejection developed in eight (25%) patients. At 10 years, long-term complications included mild to severe chronic renal failure (77%), mild chronic anemia (59%), and hypertension (25%). Significant growth retardation (z-score < -2), hyperlipidemia, and diabetes were uncommon. Infection requiring hospitalization occurred in 81% of the patients, with varicella zoster virus as the most common pathogen. Epstein-Barr virus-related malignancies affected 22% of patients. Ten-year survivors perceived quality of life as very good. Self-reporting of drug nonadherence by seven (22%) adolescents may have contributed to development of late onset rejection in this subgroup. Conclusions. Children who are 10-year survivors of OLT have excellent graft function and, despite chronic extrahepatic morbidities, a self-reported high quality of life.
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