Objectives: In pediatric patients, renal dysfunction after living-donor liver transplant is a major issue that is difficult to evaluate. Recently, predictive equations for Japanese children have been introduced.
Materials and methods: We conducted a retrospective study by prospectively collecting data on 26 patients under 16 years old who underwent living-donor liver transplant between June 2004 and March 2015. Serum creatinine and cystatin C levels were measured. Paired t tests and Bland-Altman plots were used to compare the following formulas for estimated glomerular filtration rate: the Schwartz formula and 3 formulas that were matched with Japanese children (polynomial, simple, and cystatin C formulas).
Results: Average estimated glomerular filtrations rates (in mL/min/1.73 m2) were 143.46, 122.90, 121.58, and 123.31 using the Schwartz, polynomial, simple, and cystatin C formulas, respectively. The estimated glomerular filtrations rate for biliary atresia was 141.53 ± 31.37 versus 109.95 ± 19.52 for other diseases, with significant differences only noted with the cystatin C formula. The formulas tailored for Japanese children showed significantly lower estimated glomerular filtrations rates than those obtained using the Schwartz formula (P < .01).
Conclusions: The use of formulas for measuring estimated glomerular filtrations rates that are based on race may allow early detection of deteriorating renal function.