First Year After A Pediatric Liver Transplant
The first year after pediatric liver transplantation is usually the most difficult year. Many changes take place in your family's life. Lab tests, clinic visits and medications become a priority.
Many times there are complications (bile duct problems, infections or rejection) that arise after your child goes home. Sometimes these complications require readmission to Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.
During this year, the Liver Transplant Team's priority continues to be maintaining function of the new liver and monitoring your child's overall health. Our team will continue to provide education on topics such as returning to school, rejection, Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), kidney disease and other things you will need to watch for as your child continues the recovery process. These complications may occur later in your child's life.
The first year can be trying, depending upon how well your child does. However, the liver transplant team strives to make the transition from Cincinnati Children's to your home as smooth as possible. We are always available to answer questions and will continue our partnership in providing the support necessary for you and your child.
Liver transplantation has dramatically improved the survival of children with end-stage liver disease. With improved surgical techniques and immunosuppression medication, one-year survival rates following liver transplantation approach 90 percent.
Rev. 6/07
