Bone health and Growth in Children post Liver Transplant

• Author / Creator

  Alzaben, Abeer Salman

• The study aim was to compare the impact of corticosteroid-free and corticosteroid-containing immunosuppressive regimes on parameters of bone health and growth in children post-liver transplant (LTX). One-hundred fifteen charts were screened, thirty-nine charts meeting study inclusion were reviewed. The prevalence of decreased lumbar and whole-body bone mineral density (BMD z-score <-2) was 15% and 8% respectively. Children on corticosteroid-free immunosuppressive regimens had greater height z-scores (0.23± 0.22 versus -0.71± 0.13, p=0.002) and whole-body bone mineral content (944± 88 versus 889 ± 57 g p<0.001) than those prescribed corticosteroids. A trend to lower absolute whole-body BMD (g/cm2) was observed in children on corticosteroid therapy for more than 365 days (p=0.055). While suboptimal vitamin K and calcium intakes may have contributed to poor bone health, vitamin D intakes (with supplementation) appeared to meet recommended levels. Low-dose corticosteroid therapy is associated with reduced BMC and linear growth in children post-LTX.

• Subjects / Keywords

  • Bone
  • Liver Transplant
  • Vitamin D
  • Corticosteroid

• Graduation date

  Fall 2012

• Type of Item

  Thesis

• Degree

  Master of Science

• DOI

  https://doi.org/10.7939/R3830C

• License

  This thesis is made available by the University of Alberta Libraries with permission of the copyright owner solely for non-commercial purposes. This thesis, or any portion thereof, may not otherwise be copied or reproduced without the written consent of the copyright owner, except to the extent permitted by Canadian copyright law.