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When your child’s liver doesn’t work as it should, a liver transplant can give them a healthier life. A pediatric liver transplant evaluation helps you learn more about liver transplant and whether it’s right for your child.

Liver transplant evaluation is a critical first step in the liver transplant process. The experts at pediatric liver transplant centers review your child’s case and do tests. Here’s what to expect during a liver transplant evaluation at the UPMC Pediatric Liver Transplant Program.

What Is Liver Transplant Evaluation?

A liver transplant evaluation is a series of tests and visits to find out if your child should get a liver transplant. This evaluation helps you and your family get ready for surgery. It also helps you know what to expect after your child gets a new liver.

You and your child will meet with a group of experts called a transplant team. These experts talk with you about your child’s health and what you can expect at every step. You’ll have many visits during your child’s liver transplant evaluation.

Who will meet with me and my child?

You’ll meet with transplant specialists who care for your child’s physical and emotional health. You’ll also talk with team members who can connect you with the support you need before and after surgery. This includes help with:

• Financial matters and talking with your insurance company.
• Finding a place to stay near the transplant center.
• Locating a peer support group if that is helpful for you or your child.
• Managing your emotions and stress throughout the liver transplant process.
• Spiritual guidance.

Your transplant coordinator is the person who helps get you the answers to all your questions. They tell you what will happen and who will examine your child. You and your child may also meet with a:

• Anesthesiologist.
• Behavioral health nurse or psychiatrist.
• Dietitian.
• Liver doctor.
• Pharmacist.
• Social worker.
• Transplant nurse.
• Transplant surgeon.

What Happens During a Pediatric Liver Transplant Evaluation?

The transplant team asks about your child’s medical history, like any medicines they take. They ask which vaccines your child has had. Team members also examine your child and get to know them.

Your child will have tests to figure out the health of their liver and their overall health. These tests may include:

• Blood tests to find their blood type and learn more about their liver function. Blood tests can also tell your child’s doctor if your child has a virus that could affect their liver.
• Imaging tests of the belly and liver, such as CT scan, MRI, or ultrasound. These tests help doctors find problems with the liver and other internal organs. These tests also give transplant surgeons details about your child’s anatomy that they use to plan the surgery.
• Liver biopsy so experts can look at the liver tissue under a microscope.

The doctors may also test the health of your child’s heart and lungs. These tests help doctors check that your child is healthy enough for liver transplant surgery. These tests may include:

• Chest x-ray.
• Echocardiogram or electrocardiogram.

What happens after testing?

Once they have all the test results, the transplant team reviews your child’s case. They talk about what they know about your child’s health and whether a liver transplant can help.

If the team okays your child for transplant, they place them on the national transplant waiting list. Your child’s need for a new liver determines their place on this waiting list. They’ll be higher on the list if they need a new liver right away.

What if my child doesn’t qualify for a liver transplant?

A liver transplant isn’t right for every child. If your child has an infection that doctors can’t treat, they may not qualify for a transplant. Also, children with cancer that has spread may not get approval for liver transplant surgery.

What Happens When My Child Qualifies for Liver Transplant?

Your child may receive a new liver from a deceased donor. Or, someone may donate part of their liver to your child. This is a living-donor liver transplant.

The transplant team will contact you when a donated liver is a good match for your child. Waiting can be hard because there’s no way to tell how long it will take for a donated liver to become available. Your transplant team can connect you with resources to support and help you manage your emotions while waiting.

During the waiting period, protecting your child’s health is vital. Be sure to:

• Keep all visits with your child’s doctors at home and with the transplant team.
• Make sure your child takes all medicines prescribed for them.
• Tell the transplant team if your child has any health changes.

How Can I Prepare My Child for Liver Transplant?

When a donated liver becomes available, the transplant process will move quickly. When the team contacts you, it’s critical to be ready to go to the transplant center right away.

Talk to your child about what to expect. Your transplant social worker can help you with age-appropriate ways to help your child grasp what will happen.

Your child may worry about being away from you. When it’s time for surgery, your social worker also helps make plans so you can stay near your child.

What Will My Child’s Life Be Like After Liver Transplant?

A new liver can help your child become healthier. But it’s essential to know that your child will need follow-up care for the rest of their life. They’ll need to take medicines as long as they live to stop their body from hurting the donated liver.

Talk to your transplant team about what you can expect and how to care for your child after a liver transplant. They’ll tell you the best ways to support your child’s physical and emotional health. Your pediatric liver transplant center team is there as you work through this process with your child.