Factors affecting catch-up growth after liver transplantation in children with cholestatic liver diseases.

Growth retardation is one of the most prominent consequences of childhood cholestatic liver diseases. The pathogenesis of malnutrition is multifactorial and includes reduced calorie intake, fat malabsorption, abnormal protein metabolism, and increased energy expenditure. Poor growth is a typical feature of biliary atresia, cystic fibrosis, progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis and Alagille syndrome. In some of these features it is not only directly related to impaired nutrient absorption. Liver transplantation is required if liver disease progresses to liver failure - improved nutritional status is achieved within weeks after surgery. Still, patients with Alagille syndrome present with only slight catch-up growth after transplantation, while patients with PFIC and biliary atresia grow significantly.