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What is a Pediatric Liver Transplant?

A Pediatric Liver Transplant is a specialized surgery performed on children suffering from severe liver diseases or end-stage liver failure. In this procedure, a diseased liver is replaced with a healthy liver from a donor. The donor can be a living relative (living donor transplant) or a deceased donor. This surgery is often the only treatment option for children whose liver has stopped functioning properly.

Common Reasons for Pediatric Liver Transplant

The most common reason for a liver transplant in children is Biliary Atresia, a condition where bile ducts are absent or blocked. Other causes include acute liver failure, liver tumors, metabolic liver diseases, and genetic disorders. When medications and less invasive treatments fail, liver transplant becomes the only hope for survival.

How is the Procedure Performed?

During the surgery, the child’s diseased liver is removed and replaced with a healthy donor liver (whole liver or part of a liver). In most pediatric cases, a portion of the parent’s or relative’s liver is used, as the liver has a unique ability to regenerate. The surgery is complex and typically lasts 8 to 12 hours.

Hospital Stay and Recovery

After the transplant, the child is kept in the ICU for 3 to 5 days for close monitoring. Once stabilized, the child is shifted to the general ward and may stay in the hospital for another 2 to 3 weeks. Overall, the hospital stay lasts about 3 to 4 weeks. With proper medical care and monitoring, most children gradually return to normal activities within 3 to 6 months.