5 month old infant suffering from tyrosinemia with liver failure underwent a successful ABO incompatible liver transplant
Mumbai, September: Western India’s youngest child with a noncompatible blood group underwent a liver transplant at Gleneagles Hospital Parel Mumbai. The five-month-old girl from Gujarat had a non compactable blood group and her blood had to be desensitised to remove antibodies so that her body could accept the transplanted organ.
The 5 month old infant was suffering from tyrosinemia presented with acute chronic liver failure. Tyrosinemia is a metabolic liver disorder caused by a genetic defect which manifests as progressive liver failure. Besides this, the other common paediatric metabolic disorders are Wilson’s disease and hemochromatosis. The child presented with rapidly progressive jaundice, ascites and altered sensorium. An urgent liver transplant was the only lifesaving option. However no blood group compatible donors were available in the family. An ABO incompatible liver transplant was done with the father, being the donor. When an ABO incompatible liver transplant is done, the antibody levels in the recipient’s blood are tested and depending on the antibody levels immunosuppression in the form of monoclonal antibodies and blood plasma filtration are done. In this case, the antibody levels were within acceptable limits and monoclonal antibodies or plasma filtration were not required. The child underwent a successful ABO incompatible liver transplant. With the newer immunosuppression protocols, the ABO incompatible transplants have similar success rates as a standard transplant. Currently the child is recovering and expected to lead a normal life.
Dr Lait Verma, Sr. Consultant Paediatric Hepatologist – Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai- said “transplants in India has grown exponentially in the last decade with 135 centers now performing between 1500-2000 transplants a year, 10% of which are paediatric. A survival rate surpassing 90% has been achieved, and now Mumbai has becomes India`s important Multi-organ transplant hub.
Dr Gaurav Chaubal, Director- Gleneagles Hospital Mumbai – Liver, Pancreas, Intestine Transplant Program & HPB Surgery. Said “Transplant in Paediatric age group are complex procedures, but in setting of ALF, the rate of complexities is magnified manifold. We are equipped to deal with such emergencies due to presence of comprehensive team who can look after paediatric as well as complex adult surgeries.