A team of doctors at Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad successfully performed an eight-hour long challenging liver transplant surgery to save a child’s life.

A 35-year-old woman from Vadodara saved the life of her 6-year-old daughter by donating a part of her liver. The child was suffering from Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC), a rare progressive liver disease, and underwent a successful liver transplant at Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad.

As per the case details, the child was first diagnosed with jaundice within 10 days of being born. After a liver biopsy and consultation with doctors, her parents discovered that she had PFIC. Her condition worsened as she grew, eventually leading to liver failure.

The 6-year-old patient was seen by the doctors of Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad, in Vadodara. At the time, the child had severe jaundice, weak muscles, and ascites (build-up of fluid in the stomach). After further diagnosis, the doctors informed the parents that her liver cannot sustain any longer and a liver transplant was needed.

Both parents signed up as donors for the liver transplant. However, after evaluation, the mother was found to be a better fit and was chosen as a donor for the transplant. A team of doctors led by Dr Darius Mirza, Liver Transplant & HBP Surgeon, Dr Chirag Desai, Chief Consultant & Program Director, GI, Hepatobiliary & Liver Transplant Surgeon, and Dr Pathik Parikh, Hepatologist & Liver Transplant Physician, Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad. Dr Pushkar Srivastava, Lead consultant lead Pediatrics and Neonatology has managed the patient post operatively till discharge. Commenting on the postoperative condition of the patient, Dr Pathik Parikh, said, “The child started eating normally after 3 days of the transplant and was discharged after two weeks of hospitalisation. She can now lead a normal life. By donating a part of her liver, the mother has put an end to her daughter’s sufferings.”

Explaining the patient’s disorder, Dr Chirag Desai, said, “Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC) is an extremely rare condition. We see cases like this only one in a million. The symptoms usually begin at infancy and include build-up of fluid in the stomach and jaundice.”

Speaking about pediatric transplant facilities in Gujarat, Dr Darius Mirza, said, “Five years back, patients from Gujarat had to travel to Mumbai or Delhi for a pediatric liver transplant. With the team of experts available at Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad, combined with the state-of-the-art facilities, patients can now get the best available treatments in the state without having to travel outside Gujarat.”

Dr Lakshman Khiria, Senior Consultant Gastro Surgery and Liver Transplant Surgeon at Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad, said, “The successful liver transplant surgery for this young patient with PFIC is a testament to the unwavering dedication and collective expertise of our multidisciplinary team at Apollo Hospitals. We take great pride in our ability to provide a renewed opportunity for life and instil hope in this courageous child and her family.”

“The child started eating normally after 3 days of the transplant and was discharged after two weeks of hospitalisation. She can now lead a normal life. By donating a part of her liver, the mother has put an end to her daughter’s sufferings” said Dr Pathik Parikh Lead Consultant Hepatologist & Liver Transplant Physician, Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad

“Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC) is an extremely rare condition. We see cases like this only one in a million. The symptoms usually begin at infancy and include build-up of fluid in the stomach and jaundice” said Dr Chirag Desai Chief Consultant & Program Director, GI, Hepatobiliary & Liver Transplant Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad

“Five years back patients from Gujarat had to travel to Mumbai or Delhi for a pediatric liver transplant. With the team of experts available at Apollo Hospitals, Ahmedabad, combined with the state-of-the-art facilities, patients can now get the best available treatments in the state without having to travel outside Gujarat” said Dr Darius Mirza, Liver Transplant & HBP Surgeon, Birmingham UK, Apollo Hospitals, Western Region