2.9-kg baby gets liver transplant

Metro India News | Hyderabad 

A six-week-old baby weighing just 2.9 kg has successfully undergone a living-donor liver transplant at Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Banjara Hills, in what the hospital described as South India’s smallest paediatric liver transplant.

The baby developed jaundice in the first week of life and progressed to severe liver failure by three weeks. Doctors suspected Gestational Alloimmune Liver Disease (GALD), a rare condition, after ruling out infections, metabolic disorders and genetic causes.

Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and two exchange transfusions failed, prompting doctors to proceed with a transplant. The baby received a 62-gram liver graft donated by his mother.

The procedure was challenging because of the infant’s tiny blood vessels and limited abdominal space. Surgeons reduced the graft to fit the baby and carefully connected the vessels.

Recovery was also complicated by severe lung problems requiring high-frequency ventilation, inhaled nitric oxide and bronchoscopy. The baby later developed serious infections involving antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

A leak near an intestinal surgical join required a second operation and temporary stomas. Prolonged intravenous nutrition was provided before oral feeds were gradually restarted.

Dr Prashant Bachina said early diagnosis and timely transplantation can be crucial in rapidly progressive liver failure. Dr Mettu Srinivas Reddy said the procedure required meticulous planning, surgical precision and close teamwork. The transplant involved specialists in hepatology, transplant surgery, anaesthesia, neonatal and intensive care, paediatric surgery, radiology, nutrition, physiotherapy, infection control and transplant nursing.