Mucocutaneous complications in pediatric patients with liver transplantation

Abstract

Background Liver transplant recipients can develop mucocutaneous lesions and the severity of these lesions can vary from benign to life-threatening conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and clinical features of mucocutaneous complications after liver transplantation (LT) in pediatric patients. Methods Retrospectively, children who underwent LT and were detected with skin and mucosa lesions while being followed up in our Pediatric Gastroenterology outpatient clinic between June 2005 and July 2020 were evaluated. Age, gender, primary diagnosis, graft type, immunosuppression history and post-transplantation mucocutaneous complications were recorded from the patients’ file. Results Mucocutaneous lesions were observed in 16 (9 girls, 7 boys) of 37 patients after LT. Mean transplantation age ± SD was 1.96 ± 2.03 years and a mean follow-up period was 7.31 ± 2.69 years. The lesions due to viral infections were the most common dermatologic findings (n=7, 20.5%), followed by soft tissue infection (n=6), xerosis (n=5), urticaria (n=3), eczema (n=2), fissured tongue (n=3), acne vulgaris (n=3), tinea (n=2), alopecia areata (n=1), oral aphthae (n=1) and leukocytoclastic vasculitis (n=1). No premalignant or malignant lesion was detected in any patient. Conclusion Studies about mucocutaneous complications are limited in children after LT and these lesions are often caused by infections associated with the side effects of immunosuppressive treatment. Accordingly, a carefully dermatological examination should be performed during the follow-up of patients undergoing LT.