Mumbai: Doctors Perform Complex 10-Hour Liver Transplant On One-Year-Old Baby Weighing Just 6 Kg

Mumbai witnessed a groundbreaking 10-hour liver transplant surgery performed by a skilled team of doctors on a one-year-old infant weighing a mere six kilograms. The infant, diagnosed with the rare genetic disorder Alagille syndrome, was saved by his mother's partial liver donation.

Alagille syndrome is an inherited condition affecting multiple organs, including the liver, kidneys, and heart. The infant's severe liver disease, compounded by kidney and cardiac issues, was undiagnosed until eight months of age, when symptoms like persistent itching, dark urine, weight loss, and abdominal enlargement became apparent. Genetic tests and a liver biopsy confirmed the diagnosis.

The complex surgery, led by Dr Sanjay Kumar Goja and Dr Ashok Thorat, required the mother to donate a portion of her liver after passing genetic screening tests. Despite the infant's fragile health, the surgeons successfully transplanted the new liver using microvascular techniques to ensure proper circulation.

Following the 10-hour surgery, the infant spent a week in the transplant intensive care unit and another eight days in a high-dependency ward. He was discharged five days after the procedure, and doctors closely monitored his liver function, kidney health, and blood clotting. The infant's recovery required ongoing follow-up to manage his cardiac and kidney conditions.

This remarkable case underscores the importance of early detection of liver disease symptoms in infants, which may include prolonged jaundice, dark urine, itching, and poor weight gain.