http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24949707

Topal E, Çatal F, Selimoğlu MA, Karabiber H, Klc T, Başkran A, Senbaba E, Ylmaz S. Acquired atopic disease after liver transplantation in children; similarities to and differences from adults: a preliminary study. Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014 Sep; 26(9):1055-9.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study was to determine the similarities and differences in the frequency and follow-ups of newly diagnosed atopic diseases after liver transplantation in pediatric and adult patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:
Patients who underwent liver transplants between 2005 and 2013 and who are still alive were enrolled in the study. Patients who came for checkups filled out a survey evaluating atopic diseases. Those who had an atopic disease before transplantation were excluded from the study.

RESULTS:
A total of 165 patients were enrolled in this study; 114 (69.1%) were males and 29 (17.6%) were children. The average transplantation age was 40.8 (0.3-67) years, and the most frequent reason for transplantation was chronic viral hepatitis. In 22 patients, atopic diseases [allergic rhinitis in nine patients (5.5%), asthma in six patients (3.9%), atopic eczema in six patients (3.9%), food allergy in six patients (3.9%), and drug allergy in one patient (0.6%)] developed after transplantation. Atopic diseases after transplantation were more common in children (P=0.03). When the atopic diseases were examined on a case-by-case basis, there were no differences between children and adults with respect to asthma (P=0.284), allergic rhinitis (P=1.0), or atopic eczema (P=0.284), but food allergy (P=0.009) and peripheral eosinophilia (P=0.002) were more common in children. The periodicity of allergic diseases after transplantation (P=0.192) and total IgE levels (P=0.086) were similar.

CONCLUSION:
Atopic diseases developed after liver transplantation and had a greater impact on children than adults. Therefore, after undergoing liver transplantation, patients should be monitored closely for signs of atopic diseases.