INTRAVENOUS METHYLPREDNISOLONE VS ORAL PREDNISOLONE IN TRANSPLANT REJECTION

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. The trial comparing intravenous methlyprednisolone versus oral prednisolone in the treatment of acute rejection in pediatric liver transplant recipients continues. We are comparing the effect of oral versus iv steroids in an effort to improve the patients quality of life and to reduce medical costs. In the past, all children who had acute rejection following liver transplantation required one week hospitalization. This is disruptive to their day to day life and has an impact on medical costs. The bioavailability of orally administered steroids is similar to those given intravenously therefore we hypothesized both treatments are effective. To ensure patient safety, we began this small study to test that hypothesis. Our study endpoints are control of acute rejection, improved quality of life as assessed by an outcomes questionnaire and decreased medical cost.