Paediatric Liver Transplant
Pediatric liver transplant in Dubai
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A Lifesaving Journey Begins with the Right Care
When a child is diagnosed with a life-threatening liver condition, every moment matters. At King’s Liver Transplant Center in Dubai, our pediatric Liver Transplant Programme is dedicated to delivering hope and healing to families across the UAE and beyond. With a multidisciplinary team of highly skilled professionals, we offer trusted and advanced care for pediatric liver transplant in Dubai.
What is Pediatric Liver Transplant Surgery?
Pediatric liver transplant surgery in Dubai is a life-saving procedure performed on children whose liver function is severely compromised due to acute or chronic liver diseases. The surgery involves replacing the child’s diseased liver with a healthy liver or a portion of a liver from a donor with a matching blood type.
The most common reason for pediatric liver transplantation is biliary atresia, a condition affecting infants where the bile ducts become inflamed and blocked, causing liver damage.
Why Your Child Might Need a Liver Transplant
A liver transplant becomes a necessity when a child’s liver is too damaged to function properly. In children, liver failure can occur due to several unique and complex conditions that are either congenital or acquired.
Common indications for pediatric liver transplant include:
- Biliary Atresia (the most common reason for liver transplants in infants)
- Metabolic liver diseases such as Wilson’s Disease, Tyrosinemia, and Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
- Genetic disorders like Glycogen Storage Disease
- Autoimmune Hepatitis
- Liver tumours, including hepatoblastoma and hepatocellular carcinoma
- Acute liver failure due to infections, toxins, or unknown causes
Our team works closely with families and referring doctors to identify the right time for pediatric liver transplant surgery in Dubai, ensuring the best possible outcome.
A World-Class Pediatric Liver Transplant Centre in the Heart of Dubai
Supported by the legacy of King’s College Hospital London—a global leader in liver transplantation—King’s Liver Transplant Center facility offers a comprehensive transplant programme that is child-focused, technologically advanced, and emotionally supportive.
Pediatric Liver Transplant Evaluation Process
At King’s Liver Transplant Center of Excellence, every child undergoes a thorough evaluation, including blood tests, imaging, and other diagnostics to determine the extent of liver damage and overall fitness for transplant. Our multidisciplinary team ensures your child is carefully assessed to optimize transplant outcomes.
Advanced Techniques in Pediatric Liver Transplant Surgery
Our expert surgeons utilize the latest techniques tailored to pediatric patients, including:
- Whole Liver Transplant: Using a complete donor liver from a deceased donor.
- Split Cadaveric Liver Transplant: Dividing one donor liver for two recipients – typically a child and an adult.
- Living Donor Liver Transplant: Transplanting a portion of a liver from a healthy living donor, often a parent.
- Reduced Size Liver Transplant: Resizing a donor liver to fit smaller pediatric patients.
Liver Transplant Services
- Liver Transplantation
- Paediatric Liver Transplant
- Living Donor Transplant
- Split Cadaveric Liver Transplants
- Reduced-Size Liver Transplants
- Monsosegment liver transplant
- Auxiliary liver transplantation
- Minimally Invasive and Microsurgical Procedures
- Hepaticobiliary surgery
- Cadaver liver transplants(deceased doner liver transplants)
The Pediatric Liver Transplant Process: What Families Should Know
From evaluation to long-term follow-up, our transplant journey is designed with clarity, safety, and family involvement in mind.
1. Comprehensive Evaluation
We conduct a full medical, surgical, and psychological assessment to determine transplant suitability. Nutritional and developmental evaluations are also performed.
2. Donor Identification
Children may receive a portion of a liver from a living donor (usually a parent or relative) or from a deceased donor. Living donor transplantation reduces wait time and improves surgical planning.
3. Transplant Surgery
Performed by our expert surgeons, the procedure typically involves transplanting a reduced-size graft suitable for the child’s anatomy. Modern microsurgical techniques are used to ensure precision.
4. Post-Transplant Recovery
Children are closely monitored in a specialised pediatric ICU. Recovery includes medication management, physical therapy, nutritional support, and family education.
5. Long-Term Follow-Up
Children require life-long follow-up with our liver team to ensure the transplant is functioning well, monitor medications, and track developmental milestones.
Risks and Post-Operative Care
Like all major surgeries, pediatric liver transplant carries risks such as organ rejection and infection. At King’s Liver Transplant, these risks are managed proactively with anti-rejection medications and strict infection control protocols. Post-surgery, your child will receive continuous monitoring in our specialized intensive care unit to support recovery.
Parents are also fully guided on medication schedules, nutrition, and follow-up care to ensure a smooth transition home and long-term health.
A Team of Global Experts You Can Trust
Delivering a successful transplant requires more than just surgical skill—it demands a coordinated team effort. At King’s, our best pediatric liver transplant surgeons in Dubai are supported by:
- Pediatric hepatologists
- Pediatric transplant anaesthetists
- Liver intensive care specialists
- Interventional radiologists
- Transplant coordinators and nurses
- Dietitians, psychologists, and rehabilitation therapists
This holistic approach ensures that your child’s physical and emotional needs are met every step of the way.
Living Donor Liver Transplants for Children: A Gift of Life
Living donor transplantation is often the best option for pediatric patients. A healthy adult donates a portion of their liver, which regenerates fully in both donor and child.
Benefits of living donor liver transplant include:
- Reduced waiting time
- Better timing and surgical control
- Enhanced transplant success rates
- Lower risk of disease progression
Our team prioritises donor safety and ensures thorough evaluation and post-donation support.
Emotional and Family Support: You Are Not Alone
We understand that pediatric liver transplant is a deeply emotional experience for families. At King’s, you are supported by more than just doctors.
Our support services include:
- Family counselling and peer support
- Educational resources for parents and siblings
- Child life specialists to help young patients cope with hospitalization
Our goal is to make the journey less frightening, more informed, and completely compassionate.
Our Success Stories: Children Living Healthier Lives
King’s Liver Transplant Dubai has successfully performed several pediatric liver transplants with excellent outcomes. Children who once faced liver failure are now growing, playing, and thriving.
Our results are a testament to the dedication of our surgical teams and the trust placed in us by families from the UAE and abroad.
Why King’s is the Leading Centre for Pediatric Liver Transplant in Dubai
- The only licensed centre in Dubai for pediatric liver transplants
- Access to the best pediatric liver transplant surgeons in Dubai, trained in leading global institutions
- Seamless coordination with King’s College Hospital London for second opinions and expertise
- State-of-the-art surgical suites and ICU tailored for pediatric care
- Holistic, family-centred approach to every aspect of care
We combine excellence with empathy to offer the best chance for your child’s future.
Take the First Step Toward a Healthier Tomorrow
Your child deserves the best care possible. At King’s Liver Transplant Center of Excellence, we are dedicated to offering safe, effective, and compassionate pediatric liver transplant surgery in Dubai. If your child has a serious liver condition, reach out to our expert team and begin the journey to a healthier, hopeful future.
Book a consultation today and discover how our centre changes lives, one child at a time.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Children of any age, including newborns, can be eligible for a liver transplant depending on the medical condition.
Our transplant team follows strict protocols to ensure safety for both the child and donor. Survival rates at King’s are comparable to international centres.
While risks include rejection and infection, close monitoring and advanced post-op care significantly reduce complications.
Yes. Most children go on to lead normal, active lives with proper care and regular follow-ups.
Our patient services team can assist with insurance and financing options. Government and charitable funding may be available for eligible families.
