Indications for liver transplant in children: What a pediatrician should know ?

Pediatric liver transplantation both in India and across the world is on the rise. This is due to better advances in both medical and surgical techniques and also better recognition and understanding of diseases that benefit from liver transplantation. The indications of liver transplantation in children differ from adults. Biliary atresia is the leading indication for pediatric liver transplantation throughout the world. Various metabolic disorders are now clearly identified as conditions that will benefit from liver transplantation. Apart from being a life saving measure, liver transplantation in children has evolved to a therapeutic step which improves quality of life. Hence timely recognition and preparation for transplant is essential before irreversible consequences of the primary disease set in. This review describes the various indications and unique aspects to be considered while planning liver transplantation in a pediatric patient.