Paediatric Liver Transplant in Kochi

A paediatric liver transplant can provide a life-saving treatment for infants, children and adolescents with severe liver disease when medical or surgical treatment alone cannot adequately restore liver function. Children requiring liver transplantation need specialised care that considers not only liver function but also their age, body size, growth, nutrition, development and long-term health.

The Paediatric Liver Transplant Programme at Apollo Adlux Hospital, Kochi, brings together liver transplant specialists, paediatricians, paediatric intensive care specialists, anaesthesiologists, hepatology teams, dietitians and rehabilitation professionals to provide coordinated care.

Conditions That May Require Paediatric Liver Transplantation

Children may be evaluated for liver transplantation for conditions including:

• Biliary atresia
• Acute liver failure
• Chronic liver failure
• Metabolic liver diseases
• Genetic liver disorders
• Progressive cholestatic liver disorders
• Selected liver tumours
• Other irreversible paediatric liver diseases

The exact indication for transplantation varies according to the child's underlying condition and overall clinical status.

Evaluation Before Paediatric Liver Transplant

Paediatric liver transplant assessment may include:

• Liver function evaluation
• Blood investigations
• Advanced imaging
• Growth and developmental assessment
• Nutritional evaluation
• Cardiovascular assessment
• Infection screening
• Immunisation review
• Donor assessment where living donation is considered
• Psychological and family counselling

The transplant team considers the child's current condition, disease progression and long-term prognosis when determining whether transplantation should be recommended.

Living Donor Liver Transplant in Children

Because only a portion of a healthy liver is required for living donor transplantation, LDLT can be particularly relevant in paediatric transplantation when an appropriate living donor is available.

The size of the liver graft and anatomical suitability of both donor and recipient are carefully assessed before transplantation.

Deceased and Split Liver Transplantation for Children

Children may also receive a liver from a deceased donor. In selected deceased donor cases, the liver may be divided, allowing the smaller segment to be transplanted into a suitable child while the larger portion is transplanted into another recipient.

Specialised Care After Paediatric Liver Transplant

Children require long-term monitoring following transplantation.

Care includes:

• Liver function monitoring
• Immunosuppressive medication management
• Infection prevention
• Nutritional support
• Growth monitoring
• Developmental assessment
• Vaccination planning
• Rehabilitation
• Family education and counselling

The aim is not only to support graft function but also to help the child return to developmentally appropriate activities, education and daily life.