When a child’s liver becomes too damaged to function, a transplant may be the only option to restore their health and quality of life. At Paediatric Liver and Liver Transplant Services South Africa, based at Wits Donald Medical Centre, we are one of only two centres nationwide offering paediatric liver transplants in South Africa. Each child is unique, and every family’s journey is different. Our role is to walk alongside you with professional care and heartfelt support.
What are paediatric liver transplants?
A paediatric liver transplant is a surgical procedure that replaces a child’s failing liver with a healthy donor liver. This can come from either:
- Deceased donors (whole or partial livers)
- Living donors, usually a parent or close relative, can donate a portion of their liver
The liver is the only organ that can regenerate, which means the donor’s liver grows back to normal size, while the transplanted portion grows with the child, giving them the chance to grow and thrive.
The process involves the following steps, with your child’s safety at the centre:
How does the liver transplant work?
1. Evaluation and listing:
A thorough assessment determines whether a transplant is the best treatment.
2. Finding a donor:
Either a compatible deceased donor is matched, or a living donor is carefully assessed to ensure safety for both child and donor.
3. Surgery:
The diseased liver is removed and replaced with the donor liver.
4. Recovery and monitoring:
After surgery, the child is closely monitored in intensive care before moving to the ward.
We are also the only centre in South Africa offering related living donor liver transplants for children, significantly reducing waiting times.
What conditions lead to paediatric liver transplants?
The most common reason is biliary atresia, a condition where bile ducts do not form correctly. Other reasons include:
- Acute liver failure
- Cholestatic liver diseases other than biliary atresia
- Genetic and metabolic liver diseases (e.g., Wilson’s disease)
- Cirrhosis from chronic liver damage
- Certain liver tumours or cancers
How should my child prepare for a liver transplant?
Preparing for your child’s liver transplant in South Africa can feel overwhelming, but we can help you and your child every step of the way. This includes:
- Routine examinations and pathology screening
- Integrated medical and dietary support for optimal child health
- Vaccinations where possible, since immunity may be lower after transplantation
- Counselling and reassurance so your child feels safe and you feel informed
You are not alone in preparing. Our team will make sure your child and family feel cared for and supported, while also guiding you as a parent or caregiver.
Recovery is a journey, and our team provides your child with comprehensive follow-up care, including:
- Medication management: Anti-rejection (immunosuppressant) medicines must be taken daily
- Regular check-ups: Close monitoring is needed, especially in the first year
- Healthy lifestyle support: Guidance on diet, hygiene, and activity to reduce infection risk and help with healing
- Long-term follow-up: Children are monitored for growth, development, and liver health for years after the surgery.
Parents are partners in this journey, and we support you in the small daily routines that protect your child’s health.
A chance for new beginnings
A liver transplant for a child is more than surgery; it is a chance for a child to grow, learn, and thrive again. At Paediatric Liver and Liver Transplant Services South Africa, we aim to guide your family through this process with expertise, compassion, and care.
Contact us today to learn more about evaluation, living donor options, and how we can help your child access the life-saving gift of transplantation