Welcome to Paediatric Liver & Transplant Services South Africa
We are a high volume centre performing 20 – 30 paediatric liver transplants a year and have done more than 300 since the first in our unit in 2005.
We have been performing related living donor liver transplants in children since 2013 and are the only centre in South Africa to offer this service.
We perform a higher proportion of transplants for acute liver failure than the rest of the world and have managed to maintain an unadjusted survival rate for children one year after surgery of around 80%, which compares well to the 80-90% documented internationally.
Dr. Sarah Berkenfeld
Dr. Marisa Beretta
Meet Your Doctors
What we do
Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre has the largest paediatric liver transplant unit in South Africa. We help children with liver conditions from all over the country, from newborns to teenagers. Our comprehensive services include diagnosis, management, and support for chronic and acute liver diseases, ensuring each child receives personalised care.
Access a team of dedicated specialists:
- Paediatric, Transplant & Hepatobiliary Surgeons
- Paediatric Intensivists
- Paediatric Dieticians
- Physiotherapists
- Occupational & Speech Therapists
- Interventional Radiology Specialists
Conditions We Treat Include:
Chronic Liver Disease secondary to:
- Biliary atresia
- Choledochal cysts
- Inherited disorders of cholestasis
- Alpha 1 Antitrypsin deficiency
- Familial intrahepatic Cholestasis
- Galactosemia
- Tyrosinaemia
- Wilsons Disease
- Neonatal Giant Cell Hepatitis
- HLH (haemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis)
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Inborn Errors of Metabolism
- Cystic Fibrosis
- Cryptogenic cirrhosis
- Venoocclusive disease
Acute liver Disease and failure secondary to:
- Viral Hepatitis
- HLH
- MIS-C
- Autoimmune hepatitis
- Wilsons disease
- Paracetamol or Toxic liver injury
- Indeterminate
Other conditions:
- Disorders of immune regulation involving the liver
- Extrahepatic portal hypertension
- Extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis
- Vascular malformations involving the hepatosplenic circulation
Call or Email
Get in touch with us via the methods below.
Be Prepared
Arrive on time and ensure all referral information is sent to reception@paedstransplant.co.za before your visit.
Book Your Next Appointment
Before leaving the clinic, please schedule your next appointment and ensure you receive all necessary documents.
Telephone
011 356 6505
Cellphone
067 413 5449
reception@paedstransplant.co.za
For Emergencies
Please note that Donald Gordon does not have an emergency department. Please go to your nearest casualty for Emergencies.
Secure Exceptional Paediatric Care For Your Child
Our team is committed to providing an environment of care and support, ensuring your child’s journey is as smooth and informed as possible. Call or email us today.
your doctors
Dr. Beretta and Dr. Berkenfeld alternate coverage of the liver hepatology clinic. Your appointment will be with the doctor on call for that week.
seamless care
All information is shared between specialists, including an intensive discussion and handover, ensuring seamless care for your child at every visit.
affiliation
As an academic unit affiliated with the University of Witwatersrand, paediatric fellows are involved in patient care, enhancing the depth of expertise available to your child.
possible delays
Please forgive any delays caused by patients with unexpected complex/multiple problems. When booking, we can’t foresee which patient will need more time than average.
Pre-Appointment Information
Preparing For
Your Appointment
Punctuality: Please arrive on time to facilitate a smooth appointment process. We’ll see you as soon as we can.
New Patients: Before your visit, please ensure all referral information is sent to reception@paedstransplant.co.za.
We’re paperless: You will receive a Logbox link via SMS to register before or when you arrive for your appointment.
Consultation Fees: Consultations are charged at private rates; please confirm with your medical aid that these rates are supported.
Cancellations Policy: If you cannot make your appointment, please cancel no later than 24 hours beforehand to avoid paying the full consultation penalty. Exceptions will be made for unforeseeable emergencies; please contact the clinic as soon as possible.
After Your Consultation: Before leaving the clinic, please schedule your next appointment and ensure you receive all necessary documents (e.g., prescriptions, blood forms, radiology requests, and sick notes). Please ask your treating doctor if you are unsure of any necessary procedures.
