Postoperative fluid balance linked with increased morbidities in pediatric liver transplant recipients

A postoperative fluid balance (FB) >20% in pediatric liver transplant recipients is associated with increased morbidities, according to a study.

In this retrospective cohort study, 129 pediatric patients who underwent their first LT were stratified into groups based on their FB in the first 72 hours postoperatively: <10%, 10-20%, and > 20%. Patients had a median Pediatric Risk of Mortality-III score of 9 and calculated Pediatric End-stage Liver Disease score of 15.

After the first 72 hours, 28.7% of patients had a 10-20 % FB and 20.2% had a >20% FB.

A >20% FB was associated with:
-Increased likelihood of an additional pediatric intensive care unit day
-An additional hospital day
-Lower likelihood of a ventilator-free days at 28 days

The likelihood of postoperative complications was similar between groups.

Reference
Winters JM, Brocks R, Chapin CA, et al. Fluid balance in pediatric postoperative liver transplant recipients. Pediatr Transplant. 2023;e14499. doi: 10.1111/petr.14499. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36951112.