Young Cystic Fibrosis Lung Transplant Recipients: Predisposing Factors
for End-stage Disease
Abstract
Background: The largest age group among children and adolescents
referred for lung transplantation for cystic fibrosis (CF) have been
those who in the pubertal or post pubertal age range. However, over 100
younger patients with CF have undergone lung transplantation over the
last three decades in the USA. Methods: We performed a retrospective
review of our experience with 18 children with CF who underwent lung
transplantation in our center before the age of 11 years. Results:
Notable findings were a high prevalence of methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus, a high prevalence of diabetes mellitus and an
impressive prevalence of consolidated lobar or whole lung disease.
Post-transplant outcomes, however, were comparable to those older than
10 years of age in our center. Conclusions: In an era of increasingly
effective medications modifying the natural history of CF,
identification of risk factors for early severe lung disease in CF
remains relevant and potentially more important for effective
intervention in order to extend life.