2-year-old girl undergoes South Asia’s first paediatric liver transplant

Hepatitis A attacked an unsuspecting 2-year-old Yasmin from Oman who developed hepatic coma was being fast tracked by fate into a rapidly looming liver failure. The onset of this affliction, her condition deteriorated in the form of an increasing jaundice, coagulopath, seizures, difficulty in ventilation, decreased urine output and coma. The doctors at Oman referred her to Dr Naresh Shanmugam, Child Liver Specialist at Global HealthCity, Chennai.

 After due consideration by the liver transplant team, the diagnosis indicated that auxiliary liver transplant will be the best option for cure.  The 10 hour complex surgery performed by Prof Mohamed Rela and team,where portion of Yasmin’s liver was removed and replaced with a small portion of her uncle’s liver. Post-operative course was stormy due to the toxins released from the remaining portion of Yasmin’s liver which was effectively managed by expert paediatric liver intensive care team headed by Dr Naresh Shanmugam. Within next four days her liver function reverted to normal. Two months after the surgery,she is kept alive by the donor liver but her own liver has also started functioning and probably in next six months time when her own liver is fully functional all her medications would be stopped and would be able to lead a normal life.

 Prof Mohamed Rela, Head of the Department, HPB & Liver Transplantation, Global HealthCity, Chennai said, “Transplant program at Global HealthCity has evolved from a sustained commitment to world class surgical expertise. Auxiliary liver transplant embraces the latest and the best technologies available in the international healthcare market and gives children a second chance to live a normal life.”

 Dr Naresh P Shanmugam, Senior Consultant Paediatric Hepatologist & Gasteroenterologist, Global HealthCity, Chennai said, “There is a huge requirement for paediatric liver transplant in India because of the incidence of the disease in the children. This innovative technique of auxiliary liver transplant gives a second chance to live a normal life when the child’s own liver regenerates and a life free of any medications and medical follow ups.”