Multi-Organ Transplant Program

Pediatric Liver Transplant

Our pediatric liver transplant program is based at the Children's Hospital, London Health Sciences Centre. Through a cooperative effort by pediatric and transplant specialists at Children's Hospital and University Hospital, Ontario's first liver transplants in children were performed in London in 1984. In 1993, Canada's first pediatric liver-bowel transplant was performed at Children's Hospital.

Pediatric Liver Disease

Some of the most common liver diseases in children include:

• acute liver failure
• Alagille syndrome
• alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
• biliary atresia
• glycogen storage disease
• hemochromatosis
• liver injuries
• Wilson's disease

Treatment for Pediatric Liver Disease

A child whose liver is not functioning properly may be treated with a liver transplant. Liver transplantation offers an acceptable treatment for many forms of pediatric end-stage liver disease. Both living donors and deceased donors can be used to offer transplant livers to children.

The Liver Transplant Operation

The surgeon will remove the diseased liver and attach the new liver into place. The surgeon will then connect all of the blood vessels and bile ducts.

Pediatric liver recipients are transferred to the Pediatric Critical Care Unit after their surgery. When stable, they are cared for on a special ward reserved for patients with low immunity. Most children are in hospital for two to four weeks and then remain in London for another two weeks for outpatient care. Dedicated staff at the Children's Hospital in the Pediatric Critical Care Unit, 7th floor Pediatrics ward, and Pediatric Medical Day Unit care for our young recipients and their families.

Throughout the hospitalization, parents are very involved with their child's care and are permitted to stay in the same hospital room. As well, an experienced team of play therapists ensure that patients are entertained with games, crafts, and audio-visual equipment.

Quality of Life

As with any type of transplant, children who receive a liver transplant must take medications for the rest of their lives to prevent organ rejection. Our pediatric liver transplant recipients have a 93% long-term survival and they enjoy an excellent quality of life.