Basiliximab induced non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema in two pediatric renal transplant recipients

Pediatr Nephrol. 2009 Nov;24(11):2261-5. doi: 10.1007/s00467-009-1244-4. Epub 2009 Aug 1.

Abstract

We report two cases of non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema as a complication of basiliximab induction therapy in young pediatric renal transplant patients identified following a retrospective review of all pediatric renal transplant cases performed in the National Paediatric Transplant Centre, Childrens University Hospital, Temple Street, Dublin, Ireland. Twenty-eight renal transplantations, of which five were living-related (LRD) and 23 were from deceased donors (DD), were performed in 28 children between 2003 and 2006. In six cases, transplantations were pre-emptive. Immunosuppression was induced pre-operatively using a combination of basiliximab, tacrolimus and methylprednisolone in all patients. Basiliximab induction was initiated 2 h prior to surgery in all cases and, in 26 patients, basiliximab was re-administered on post-operative day 4. Two patients, one LRD and one DD, aged 6 and 11 years, respectively, developed acute non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema within 36 h of surgery. Renal dysplasia was identified as the primary etiological factor for renal failure in both cases. Both children required assisted ventilation for between 4 and 6 days. While both grafts had primary function, the DD transplant patient subsequently developed acute tubular necrosis and was eventually lost within 3 weeks due to thrombotic microangiopathy and severe acute antibody-mediated rejection despite adequate immunosuppression. Non-cardiogenic pulmonary edema is a potentially devastating post-operative complication of basiliximab induction therapy in young pediatric patients following renal transplantation. Early recognition and appropriate supportive therapy is vital for patient and, where possible, graft survival.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Antibodies, Monoclonal / adverse effects*
  • Basiliximab
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / adverse effects*
  • Kidney Transplantation / immunology*
  • Kidney Tubules, Distal / pathology
  • Living Donors
  • Male
  • Necrosis / pathology
  • Pulmonary Edema / chemically induced*
  • Pulmonary Edema / complications*
  • Pulmonary Edema / diagnostic imaging
  • Radiography
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / adverse effects*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tissue Donors
  • Transplantation, Homologous
  • Treatment Failure
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antibodies, Monoclonal
  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Basiliximab