NEUROLOGICAL COMPLICATIONS AMONG PEDIATRIC POSTLIVER TRANSPLANT IN KING ABDULAZIZ MEDICAL CITY-RIYADH.

Background:-Liver transplantation (LT) is an effective treatment for children with liver disease.1 Post-operative Neurological complications (NCs) are common among LT recipients.3 The aim of this study is to identify the NCs as well as determine the predictors of these complications among pediatric post LT in King Abdulaziz Medical City – Riyadh. Methods:-Case-control study was conducted on 54 pediatric patients who had LT aged ?14 years old. Charts were reviewed from 2001 to 2014. Patients who had NCs post LT were identified as cases n=12 and who did not have NCs post LT were identified as controls n=42.Analysis was conducted using SAS version 9.2. Results:-The mean patients’ age at the time of LT was (4.42 ± 0.52) year. Females were 28(51.85%) & males were 26(48.15%).The most common indication of LT was PFIC followed by biliary atresia. NCs after LT was seen in 12 patients, 4(33.33%) of them had neurological manifestations before LT. All patients who underwent LT were jaundiced 54(100%). There was significant difference between cases\controls in pre-LT hepatic encephalopathy p=0.008 and pre-LT neurological manifestations p=0.017. The most common NC post LT was seizures 9(52.94%) followed by encephalopathy 4(23.53%) & weakness 4(23.53%). There was significant difference between the two groups in pre and post-transplant INR p=0.003&p=0.015 respectively. None of the associated risk factors (patient’s age, gender, post-op Mg) were significant predictors for developing NCs after LT. Conclusion:-NCs are common among children after LT. Early detection and management are of extreme importance.