Pneumatosis intestinalis after pediatric thoracic organ transplantation

Objective. To review and describe pneumatosis intestinalis (PI) in children who have undergone thoracic organ transplantation and evaluate potential risk factors. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed abdominal radiographs obtained from June 1992 through September 2000 in all pediatric (age 1 diagnosed episode of PI. Of these 8 cases, 7 presented with 1 or more abdominal symptoms. Three of these children had rotavirus antigen isolated in their stool, 2 others were noted to have stool positive for Clostridium difficile toxin, and in the other 3, no pathogen was identified. All cases were treated with a regimen of intravenous antibiotics and total parenteral nutrition. There were no deaths; however, 1 patient developed an Aspergillus pulmonary infection during his course of antibiotic therapy, and another underwent an exploratory laparotomy without bowel resection. Significant risk factors included black race (unadjusted odds ratio: 16), younger age at presentation (age 0.5 mg/kg/d; unadjusted odds ratio: 7), and a higher tacrolimus level at presentation (tacrolimus level >1; unadjusted odds ratio: 6). PI did not occur with a steroid dose