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Clinically "silent" weight loss associated with mycophenolate mofetil in pediatric renal transplant recipients

Benjamin Laskin1, Jens Goebel

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH 45229, USA.

Pediatric Transplantation
|January 12, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) can cause silent weight loss in pediatric kidney transplant patients. Awareness is crucial as this side effect may require medication adjustment.

Area of Science:

  • Nephrology
  • Pediatric Transplantation
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) is a standard immunosuppressant in renal transplantation.
  • Pediatric patients often experience gastrointestinal side effects with MMF.

Observation:

  • Two pediatric renal transplant patients on MMF presented with unexplained weight loss.
  • These patients had no obvious gastrointestinal symptoms.

Findings:

  • Isolated weight loss occurred in pediatric renal transplant recipients receiving MMF.
  • Weight gain was observed after switching to azathioprine.

Implications:

  • Clinicians should consider "silent" weight loss as a potential MMF complication in children.
  • Early recognition and management of MMF-associated weight loss are important for pediatric transplant outcomes.

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