“What factors must support a liver transplant?”
Our son has pediatric liver disease, and we are now considering a liver transplant since nothing else has seemed to work. What factors must support a liver transplant?
2 Answers
TransplantSurgeonPediatricliverdisease
Congenital conditions like biliary atresia are the main indications for pediatric Liver transplantation. Liver deterioration in defined but increased Bilirubin, INR, Creatinine together with intra-abdominal fluid, mental status changes, malnourishment, legs swelling and other "portal hypertension associated" conditions. Most of the time a suitable option is living donor liver transplantation where one of the parents donate about 30% of his/her liver. A thorough workup has to been done by a transplant institution in preparation for the transplant and, as a general rule, it is better to start the process sooner rather than later. Liver transplantation performed at an earlier stage, when clinical conditions are more favorable, is associated with better outcome.
Transplant is always an option for treatment when patients have liver disease. Patients are expected to stay compliant with medications and diet after transplant. He will have extensive education of the process involved and his expectations.
