The Effects of Liver Transplantation in Children With Niemann-Pick Disease Type B.

Abstract

We evaluated the effects of liver transplantation (LT) in children with Niemann-Pick disease (NPD) type B. From October 2006 to October 2018, 7 of 1512 children who received LT at Ren Ji Hospital were diagnosed as NPD type B. The median age at diagnosis was 12months (6-14months) with initial presentations of hepatosplenomegaly, growth retardation, repeated pneumonia, and diarrhea. Even after comprehensive supporting treatments, all patients developed liver dysfunction, severe interstitial pulmonary disease, compromised lung function, and hypersplenism, with hypertriglyceridemia in 4 patients. They were transferred to our hospital for transplantation (median age, 6.5years; range, 2.2-8.6years). Among them, 4 patients received living donor LT, and 3 received whole-liver orthotopic LT. Splenectomy was conducted spontaneously. All patients are alive with a median follow-up of 10months (range, 5-53months). Liver function normalized within 3weeks after transplantation and maintained stability. Thrombocytopenia and leukopenia were cured, as was hypertriglyceridemia. Strikingly, pulmonary disease was relieved after transplantation, as evidenced by resolution of interstitial lung disease and restored lung function. Bronchitis occurred only once among the 3 patients with a quick recovery during follow-up. Catch-up growth was observed in all patients, especially in 1 male patient, as his height z score increased from -3.9 to -1 at 4years after transplantation. Patients with follow-up longer than 10 months indicated significant psychomotor ability improvement. Hypotonia was relieved in 4 patients after transplantation. However, intelligence developmental delay still existed in 4 patients during the follow-up. Three of them have been receiving intelligence recovery therapy, although the longterm effect needs more investigation. In conclusion, LT is a safe and effective treatment for patients with NPD type B with severe liver and pulmonary dysfunction.