Analysis of rejection episodes in over 100 pediatric intestinal transplant recipients

Rejection after intestinal transplant is a significant source of morbidity and mortality. We analyzed number of rejections, severity, and duration of episodes in pediatric recipients of intestinal transplants. One hundred eighteen intestinal transplants were performed: intestine (n = 27), liver-intestine (n = 27), modified multivisceral (n = 7), and multivisceral (n = 57). A total of 186 rejections were classified: mild (n = 89), moderate (n = 70), severe (n = 27). Duration of episodes doubled for each increasing step in severity. Treatment of mild rejection was with steroids, moderate rejection was treated with OKT3, severe rejection required OKT3 and organ removal. Most rejections occurred during the first month posttransplant, with the incidence of all rejections declining after 6 months posttransplant. Intestine and liver-intestine recipients had significantly higher probability of developing severe rejections, as compared to MVT. In summary, recipients of MVT seemed to be protected from rejection as compared to intestine or liver-intestine recipients.