This five-year study (NIDDK, DK-55883: September 1, 1998 - August 31, 2004) is the long-term follow-up for the original cohort of liver transplant recipients in the Liver Transplantation Database (LTD). Follow-up of this cohort has been completed for an average of 10 years ( 8-12 years ), to observe the long-term outcomes through the next phase of the post-transplantation period when recurrence of the original disease and long term adverse effects of immunosuppression and retransplantation are expected to occur. In the final year of the study, data analysis will be completed.

Long term followup of the main LTD cohort

death, graft loss

Candidates for liver transplantation

This analysis confirms that liver transplantation helps restore growth to a limited degree, but complete restoration of normal height is unlikely within an average of 7 yr following transplantation. Results suggest that liver transplantation should be performed as soon as possible following diagnosis of ESLD to minimize the degree of growth retardation in recipients prior to transplantation, and that the greatest catch-up growth is more likely to be seen in those children who were the smallest, compared to their peers, at transplantation