3.2 Research question~Is it possible to avoid the use of corticosteroids in pediatric liver transplantation?~3.3 Trial objectives~This will be a pilot study to~i) investigate to what degree a steroid free immunosuppressive regimen is as safe and effective as a steroid containing regimen following pediatric liver transplantation~ii) investigate the effect of a steroid free immunosuppressive regimen on lymphocyte function and donor-specific immune responsiveness following pediatric liver transplantation~iii) investigate the effect of a steroid free immunosuppressive regimen on expression of tissue markers of tolerance following pediatric liver transplantation~It is hoped that this pilot study will be used to develop a definitive multicentre study of a steroid free regimen.
Objective:~The overall objective is to investigate whether a steroid free immunosuppressive regimen is as safe and effective as a steroid containing regimen following pediatric liver transplantation and whether it promotes tolerance.