[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/03\/steps-to-becoming-a-liver-donor-for-kids\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/03\/steps-to-becoming-a-liver-donor-for-kids\/","headline":"Become a Pediatric Living Donor to Save a Child’s Life","name":"Become a Pediatric Living Donor to Save a Child’s Life","description":"Learn more about becoming a pediatric living donor to save the life of a child on the transplant waiting list.","datePublished":"2021-03-31","dateModified":"2024-01-30","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/transplant","name":"Transplant Services","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/transplant","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/transplant-services\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/pediatric-liver-donor.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/11\/pediatric-liver-donor.jpg","height":327,"width":751},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/03\/steps-to-becoming-a-liver-donor-for-kids\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Transplant"],"wordCount":608,"keywords":["life-saving solution","liver transplant","surgery"],"articleBody":"Imagine being able to positively change someone\u2019s life forever \u2014in fact, to save the life of a child in need.As a pediatric living liver donor, you can do exactly that. Children who face life-threatening liver diseases and need a liver transplant only have two options: wait for a deceased donor organ or find a living donor.Click here to learn more about receiving a liver transplant. Contact UPMCWith more than 500 children on the waiting list for a liver transplant, finding a deceased donor liver can take months or longer. Becoming a living liver donor can decrease the wait and provide a lifesaving solution for children on the liver transplant waiting list.During a living donor liver transplant, a healthy adult can donate a portion of their liver. Typically, only about 25 percent of the liver is needed for the transplant, depending on the size of the child. Taking only a small amount of the liver helps to reduce risk and allows the donor to heal faster.The Living Donor ProcessTo be a liver donor for a child, you must undergo a series of evaluations and tests. These tests ensure you’re an appropriate match for a child on the waiting list and will confirm that you and the child can safely undergo the procedure.The evaluation begins with a blood test to make sure your liver is healthy. Then, you will undergo:Blood and imaging testsPsychiatric consultationsA financial clearanceIn addition, there are some health-related requirements you need to meet before you can sign up. A pediatric living donor must:Be between the ages of 18 and 60Be in good physical and mental healthHave a body mass index (BMI) of less than or equal to 32Not be engaged in active, ongoing drug or substance useBe willing to donateHave no history of liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatitis, pulmonary hypertension, HIV, cancer, or diseases involving the lungs, kidneys, or heartOnce all testing is complete and it is determined that you can safely undergo a living donor transplant, you can be cleared and scheduled for surgery.Learn how you can help. Visit the website for Living Donor Liver Transplant at UPMC.Recovery from Liver Transplant SurgeryWhile recovery is different for everyone, donors typically stay in the hospital for less than a week. Because your liver will regenerate and grow back, most donors can return to a normal and active life within a few months.Benefits and Risks of Becoming a Liver DonorOften, it\u2019s one or both parents of a sick child who volunteer to become the living donor. Other potential donors can be siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles, friends, or someone unknown to the family who simply wants to help.Benefits of being a donorAs a living donor, you have the chance to save the life of a child with liver disease.Living donation increases the number of organs available for children on the waiting list.Living donation improves the long-term outcomes for the child, allowing for quicker recovery time.Because the surgery can be scheduled, a child on the waiting list can receive the transplant while they’re still relatively healthy.Risks of liver donationAs with all types of surgery, living donor liver transplant can have some risks. If you have any concerns about your surgery, please contact your doctor immediately.It takes a big heart to donate a small portion of your liver to a child. To learn if you may qualify to be a donor, visit UPMC Liver Transplant Services.Editor's Note: This article was originally published on March 31, 2021, and was last reviewed on January 30, 2024."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2021","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"03","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/\/03\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Become a Pediatric Living Donor to Save a Child’s Life","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2021\/03\/steps-to-becoming-a-liver-donor-for-kids\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]