Late-onset bacteremia in uncomplicated pediatric liver-transplant recipients after a febrile episode.

The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence and risk factors of bacteremia after a febrile episode in uncomplicated pediatric recipients more than 2 months after liver transplantation, which has not previously been studied. This cross-sectional study was conducted over a 4-year period. Patients with known risk factors for sepsis at the time of admission were excluded from the study. Seventy-one patients were hospitalized on 128 occasions, with bacteremia occurring in the case of 11 admissions (8.6%). No laboratory tests were predictive of bacteremia. The bacteremic group most frequently presented with ill appearance ( P<0.001), lethargy ( P<0.01), decreased physical activity, and a history of early-onset bacteremia after transplantation and segmental graft ( P<0.05). This study identified a significant incidence of bacteremia in uncomplicated patients many months after liver transplantation.