Pediatric Liver Transplant | Dr. Punit Singla
                     ABOUT 
PEDIATRIC 
LIVER TRANSPLANT
Dr. Punit 
Singla
Liver Transplant and 
GI Surgeon
MBBS, MS, DNB 
(Surgical 
gastroenterology)


What is Pediatric Liver Transplant?
A pediatric liver transplant is a surgery in which the child’s sick liver is 
removed and replaced by a healthy liver from a donor. The transplant 
process is carried out when the doctors have tried every other treatment 
option and the child won’t survive without a transplant.
The liver donor can be an adult or a child who has pledged organ donation 
(or their family has agreed) after their death, called a Deceased Liver Donor.
Children and adults also receive a transplant from a Living Liver Donor. In 
this case, the donor is a willing living person who undergoes an operation in 
which either the left or right lobe of the liver is removed. The right lobe is 
bigger in size, hence better suited for adults whereas the left lobe is 
recommended for children. The donor can be your family member or a close 
friend who has a compatible blood type and approximately matches your 
liver size. After surgery, the donor’s liver will rapidly get back to its normal 
size. In the case of children, the donated liver grows as the child grows. 
Why might a child need Liver Transplant?
Children with severe liver issues who wouldn’t survive without a new liver 
are advised to get a liver transplant. Biliary atresia is the most typical liver 
condition in children who require transplants. This is a rare liver and bile 
duct condition that occurs in newborns.
Other conditions may include:
•Other liver tumors and liver cancer
•Conditions like Alagille syndrome or cholestatic disorders that are present 
at birth
•Acute or sudden liver failure brought on by an autoimmune condition, 
unidentified factors, or a medication overdose, such as acetaminophen
•Viral Hepatitis
•Other inherited and genetic liver conditions
•Hemochromatosis or the accumulation of too much iron in the body lead to 
organ damage
Risks of Liver Transplant for a child
The liver disease that led to a transplant may have affected other 
organ systems and their functioning too. Other probable 
complications from the surgery may include
•Hemorrhage: The liver produces clotting factors (chemicals that 
help blood clot). Its capacity to make clotting factors is 
compromised when the liver fails. The child will get blood products 
both before and after surgery to address this issue. But, if the liver 
fails to start working quickly right after the surgery, significant 
bleeding does occur during the first 48 hours of the transplant, and 
the kid may need to undergo additional surgery to stop the 
bleeding. We anticipate that the new liver will begin functioning 
quickly to help prevent any excessive bleeding.
•Rejection: The work of our body’s immune system is to protect it 
from invading organisms. Unfortunately, the immune system 
doesn’t identify the replacement liver and doesn’t understand its 
work, the body rejects it. The immune system, therefore, tries to 
attack the new liver. The child needs to take anti-rejection 
medications called Immunosuppressants in order for the new liver 
to survive inside the body. The immune system’s response is 
weakened by these medications. They have to take these for the 
rest of their life. Though usually the amount taken is reduced as 
the body gets familiar with the new liver.
Transplant Evaluation
The child will have to undergo various tests and evaluations as part 
of the transplant evaluation process before they are placed on the 
National waiting list.
The Transplant team will conduct tests including:
•Psychological and Social Evaluation– These tests are conducted 
on the child (to understand and know as much as possible about the 
child) and make the family understand everything better.
•Blood Tests– These tests are carried out to determine your child’s 
priority on the waiting list and to assist in finding a good donor 
match. They may also reduce the likelihood of donor liver rejection.
•Diagnostic tests– Tests are performed to check the child’s liver 
and health in general. These may include X-rays, ultrasounds, a liver 
biopsy, and dental exams.
After the evaluation process, the child will be added to a national 
transplant waiting list if they are approved as a transplant 
candidate. The top of the list is reserved for those who most 
urgently require a new liver. Your child may get a donor within a few 
days or weeks.
For more info: https://www.livertransplantsurgeon.co.in/
Contact us: +91-9650907765
Email id: [email protected]
Thank You