Liver Transplant in Paediatrics

Abstract

Paediatric liver transplantation is a very interesting and challenging field. In the past 2 decades, it has become widely accepted as an established therapeutic measure
for managing children with end stage liver disease. Liver diseases are responsible for less than 1% of morbidity and mortality in the paediatric age group in the tropics. Before the advent of liver transplantation, management of end-stage liver disease in children was largely supportive and generally unhelpful in the long term. Prognosis was also poor. However paediatric liver transplantation has recorded remarkable success since it began; hence it has progressed from being just experimental to a definitive modality of anagement for many end stage liver diseases. Notable advancements in the area of paediatric liver transplantation are the introduction of living donor grafts, improved microsurgical techniques, development of immunosuppressive drugs and a better appreciation of the multidisciplinary approach to managing the medical and social issues associated with it.
Sadly, though a few Nigerian centres have per formed renal transplant surgeries, liver
transplant still poses tremendous challenges that appear insurmountable presently.

IFEMED Journal Vol. 14 (1) 2008: pp. 45-48