Evaluation of the Pediatric Liver Transplant Patient
AASLD develops evidence-based practice guidelines and practice guidances which are updated regularly by a multi-disciplinary panel of experts, including hepatologists, and include recommendations of preferred approaches to the diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive aspects of care.
Practice Guideline
Evaluation of the Pediatric Patient for Liver Transplantation [updated July 2014]
Children have distinct diseases, clinical susceptibilities, physiological responses, as well as neurocognitive and neurodevelopmental features that distinguish them from adults. In fact, even within the pediatric age group differences can be found between newborns, infants, children, and adolescents. Given the intraabdominal anatomical variations associated with biliary atresia, the most common indication for pediatric liver transplant (LT), as well as the restricted abdominal cavity and small size of blood vessels in infants and young children, surgical teams with exhaustive pediatric experience will benefit the pediatric recipient of an LT. Members of the pediatric LT team use their expertise to tailor the LT evaluation plan to the unique needs of the child. The end product of the evaluation will ensure the elements for an informed decision to proceed to LT are met.