Long-term neurodevelopment of children exposed in utero to ciclosporin after maternal renal transplant. 2010

Irena Nulman, and Michael Sgro, and Maru Barrera, and David Chitayat, and John Cairney, and Gideon Koren
The Motherisk Program, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1X8, Canada. irena.nulman@sickkids.ca

BACKGROUND Immunosuppressant therapy is essential in the prevention of organ transplant rejection. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of children following in utero ciclosporin (cyclosporine) exposure after maternal renal transplantation. METHODS A cohort study with matched controls using a prospectively collected database was conducted to assess neurocognitive and behavioral outcomes using standardized measures. Thirty-nine children exposed in utero to ciclosporin therapy following maternal renal transplantation were assessed (15 single pregnancies, 24 multiple pregnancies) and compared with 38 matched unexposed children. Intelligence, visuomotor abilities, and psychologic adjustment were measured using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Revised (WPPSI-R), the Beery Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI-4) and the Wide Range Assessment of Visual Motor Abilities (WRAVMA), and the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL), respectively. Statistical analysis, including regression, was performed to determine the significant predictors for the main outcome, full-scale IQ (FIQ). RESULTS There were no significant differences in FIQ, verbal IQ (VIQ), performance IQ (PIQ) or behavioral outcomes between exposed and unexposed children or between single and multiple delivery groups. Thirty-three percent of exposed children were premature versus 0.5% in unexposed controls (p < 0.01). Prematurity was associated with low birthweight, high rates of perinatal complications, and instrumental deliveries. Relative to full-term children, premature, low birthweight children in the ciclosporin-exposed group had significantly lower FIQ and VIQ scores (101.04 vs 111.31 [p = 0.008] and 102.31 vs 113.08 [p = 0.021], respectively). Maternal IQ and socioeconomic status were positive and significant predictors for children's IQ (p < 0.001 and p = 0.03, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in exposed children's IQ who were and were not breastfed. CONCLUSIONS In this cohort, there was no association between in utero exposure to ciclosporin and long-term neurocognitive and behavioral development in children after maternal renal transplantation. Maternal IQ and socioeconomic status are positive predictors for children's intelligence. However, maternal renal transplantation and associated co-morbidity is associated with higher rates of premature delivery and consequent poorer neurocognitive and behavioral outcomes. Proper management of maternal morbidity and improved obstetric care may improve the child's profile.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007166 Immunosuppressive Agents Agents that suppress immune function by one of several mechanisms of action. Classical cytotoxic immunosuppressants act by inhibiting DNA synthesis. Others may act through activation of T-CELLS or by inhibiting the activation of HELPER CELLS. While immunosuppression has been brought about in the past primarily to prevent rejection of transplanted organs, new applications involving mediation of the effects of INTERLEUKINS and other CYTOKINES are emerging. Immunosuppressant,Immunosuppressive Agent,Immunosuppressants,Agent, Immunosuppressive,Agents, Immunosuppressive
D007360 Intelligence The ability to learn and to deal with new situations and to deal effectively with tasks involving abstractions.
D007361 Intelligence Tests Standardized tests that measure the present general ability or aptitude for intellectual performance. Mental Tests,Raven Test,Raven's Progressive Matrices,Intelligence Test,Mental Test,Raven Progressive Matrices,Ravens Progressive Matrices,Test, Intelligence,Test, Mental,Test, Raven
D008297 Male Males
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D011248 Pregnancy Complications Conditions or pathological processes associated with pregnancy. They can occur during or after pregnancy, and range from minor discomforts to serious diseases that require medical interventions. They include diseases in pregnant females, and pregnancies in females with diseases. Adverse Birth Outcomes,Complications, Pregnancy,Adverse Birth Outcome,Birth Outcome, Adverse,Complication, Pregnancy,Outcome, Adverse Birth,Pregnancy Complication
D011297 Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects The consequences of exposing the FETUS in utero to certain factors, such as NUTRITION PHYSIOLOGICAL PHENOMENA; PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS; DRUGS; RADIATION; and other physical or chemical factors. These consequences are observed later in the offspring after BIRTH. Delayed Effects, Prenatal Exposure,Late Effects, Prenatal Exposure
D011446 Prospective Studies Observation of a population for a sufficient number of persons over a sufficient number of years to generate incidence or mortality rates subsequent to the selection of the study group. Prospective Study,Studies, Prospective,Study, Prospective
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002652 Child Behavior Any observable response or action of a child from 24 months through 12 years of age. For neonates or children younger than 24 months, INFANT BEHAVIOR is available. Behavior, Child

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