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What to Expect After a Child's Liver Transplant

Understanding How to Care for Your Child After Transplant Surgery

Sep 22, 2009 Lisa Bishop

Caring for a child that has undergone a liver transplant can be very difficult. This is especially true for the first year following the surgery.

After a child has gone through a liver transplant the care that he requires can seem very overwhelming. There are multiple medications that must be given throughout the day and some of them must be given on time, every time. Some children may even be on feeding tubes for a period of time after surgery. One of the most important aspects following a successful transplant is to prevent rejection of the new organ by the body. This is done by suppressing the immune system. Medications such as steroids and anti-rejection drugs like Prograf are both commonly used. The steroids are generally used temporarily but medications like Prograf are often taken for the rest of the child's life.

Protection Against Germs and Bacteria

Bringing a child home after transplant will require a bit of advance planning. Your home should be as clean as possible and visitors should be illness free. That means not allowing any visitors that have any symptoms of being sick - whether it's a cough or a fever. Those germs can really wreak havoc on an immuno-suppressed child. Although it might just seem slightly bothersome for other children or adults, a simple illness can send an immuno-suppressed child straight back into the hospital. Visitors should also take off their shoes immediately after entering your house. Bacteria and other germs can easily be tracked in from the bottom of someone's shoes.

Handwashing and using hand sanitizer should be done regularly for all members of the household and visitors. Everyone should have clean hands when coming into contact with your child. Make sure that everyone's hands are clean after sneezing, coughing or blowing their nose. Handwashing after going to the bathroom is also very important. If there are pets in the household, it might be a good idea to limit contact for a while. At the very least, make sure your child washes his or her hands after petting the pet or playing with it. You certainly can't prevent every illness from happening to your child, but just by following proper handwashing techniques you can drastically lessen the chances of him becoming sick.

Medications and Labs

After a liver transplant your child will also be on several different types of drugs. It is very important to follow the doctor's instructions regarding these medications. Anti-rejections medications must be given on time, every time! Many times transplant patients are put on anti-biotics and anti-fungals in order to protect them from getting certain infections. Some of the infections may be as a result of the different medicines but some can be passed from person to person. Blood pressure medication may also be prescribed at first because the steroids and certain anti-rejection drugs tend to raise the blood pressure. Again, those side effects are generally temporary but it is very important that you keep track of your child's blood pressure and administer the medications as the doctors prescribe.

Frequent lab draws are a fact of life for at least the first year following a child's liver transplant. This is to keep track of the anti-rejection medications to make sure that they are in the proper ranges as your child progresses. The labwork will also check for any indications of infections, viruses, and liver function. Kidney function is also tested because some of the medications that are used post transplant can affect the kidneys.

Overall, the first year following a transplant can be harrowing for some children and their caregivers. But rest assured that it can be done and that your child can lead a happy and healthy life with his or her new liver.

The copyright of the article What to Expect After a Child's Liver Transplant in General Medicine is owned by Lisa Bishop. Permission to republish What to Expect After a Child's Liver Transplant in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.