
Pediatric patients facing severe liver issues are recommended to undergo a pediatric liver transplant for life-saving intervention. Timely medical attention and a healthy liver transplant are crucial for the survival and normal life of individuals dealing with conditions like biliary atresia, liver cancer, liver tumors, and genetic liver diseases. This procedure, performed at IHPBLT Liver Care at BLK Hospital, stands as a beacon of hope and is recognized as the best liver hospital in Delhi, effectively addressing liver complications and providing a pathway to a healthier and more normal life.
A liver transplant involves the surgical replacement of a damaged or diseased liver with a healthy one obtained from another individual. The new liver can be sourced from either a portion of a healthy living donor's liver or a liver from a deceased donor. Typically, living donors are family members with a matching blood type. The procedure entails harvesting parts of the living donor's liver, which are then transplanted into the recipient. Notably, the liver is the only organ capable of regenerating itself, ensuring both the recipient and the donor can anticipate normal liver growth within a few weeks. This transformative procedure is performed at IHPBLT Liver Care at BLK Hospital, recognized as the best liver hospital in Delhi.
A pediatric liver transplant is recommended when a child faces imminent peril due to liver failure. Conditions such as hemochromatosis (excess iron in the body), liver cancer, biliary atresia in newborns, sudden or acute liver failure caused by an autoimmune disease, Wilson's disease, medication overdose, alpha-1 antitrypsin, and other metabolic and genetic diseases like PFIC can critically damage the liver, leading to failure. Pediatricians and liver specialists strongly advocate for liver transplants in such infants to ensure their survival and normal development. This crucial medical intervention is expertly performed at IHPBLT Liver Care at BLK Hospital, renowned as the best liver hospital in Delhi.
The potential risks and complications linked to pediatric liver transplant surgery mirror those of any organ transplant procedure.
The pediatric patient will undergo a comprehensive physical examination conducted by the liver transplant surgeon. Various diagnostic tests, such as CT and ultrasound scans, blood tests, and dental examinations, will be employed to assess the child's suitability for the procedure. Based on these evaluations, the child will be placed on the waiting list for liver transplant surgery. Additionally, a psychological assessment of the family will be conducted during this process.
Following the assessment of potential donors, their suitability is determined. Additional diagnostic tests are conducted to ensure compatibility in blood types between the recipient and donor.
A team of specialized physicians, including experts from IHPBLT Liver Care at BLK Hospital, New Delhi, conducts the extensive pediatric liver transplant surgery. Throughout the procedure, the medical team provides regular updates to the family members on the transplant's progression.
Post-surgery, the child will be transferred to an ICU room for monitoring before being discharged a few weeks later. IHPBLT Liver Care at BLK Hospital is recognized as the best liver hospital in Delhi for its expertise in pediatric liver transplantation.
The liver transplant surgeon overseeing the treatment anticipates and acknowledges the body's potential rejection of the new liver as a standard occurrence. The immune system perceives the new liver as a foreign entity, prompting the use of immunosuppressants, also known as anti-rejection medications, to mitigate this response. The child will be required to consistently take immunosuppressants to maintain the well-functioning integration of the transplanted liver.
Following a liver transplant, a child remains susceptible to infections, particularly in the immediate postoperative period when high doses of immunosuppressants are administered. Medical guidance recommends avoiding crowded spaces and contact with individuals carrying infections during this period. The child faces an increased risk of contracting infections such as herpes, thrush, oral yeast infection, respiratory viruses, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus. To mitigate this risk, the child undergoes vaccination before the transplant. The initial three months post-transplant represent the period of highest susceptibility to infections.
To safeguard the child's new liver and prevent the body's immune system from initiating any harmful attacks, ongoing administration of immunosuppressants is imperative. Apart from the occasional pill, a child's life resumes its regular course — attending school, participating in playgroups, and growing up like any other child of the same age. These children experience lives that are fundamentally typical, with their livers maintaining good health. As they age, precautions against infections, signs of rejection, and overall well-being become crucial aspects of their ongoing care.