When your child needs an intestinal transplant
Some children with intestinal failure are successfully rehabilitated and do not need transplant. However, some children with intestinal failure, even with intense medical and surgical care from specialists, cannot meet the metabolic (nutritional) needs of their body and transplantation may be necessary. Indications for transplantation include:
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Recurrent infections: typically, infections are associated with the use of a central line.
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Loss of central venous access: there are several sites in the body where a central line can be placed, and over time the sites sometimes become unavailable for this purpose, which limits the possibilities for the child to take in proper nutrition.
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Irreversible liver disease
- Lifelong total parenteral nutrition (TPN) dependency
If your child has intestinal failure and indications for transplantation, he will be evaluated for transplantation by our team. Once all the test and laboratory results have been evaluated, a group discussion will take place with you and your family to determine if transplantation is his best option. This can be extremely overwhelming for you, your family and your child. The team will ensure that you have all the information necessary to be able to make an educated decision.
Listing for transplantation
During the transplant evaluation process, your child’s intestine and liver will be studied thoroughly. After several tests, the team will determine if his liver is healthy enough to support a new intestine. If this is the case, your child will be listed for an isolated-intestinal transplant. However, if his liver has irreversible scarring, or cirrhosis, and would not be able to support a new intestine, he will be listed for a combined intestine-liver transplant.
Once your child has been listed for transplantation, the waiting process can be a long one. It is important to stay in close contact with the transplant team and notify them of any changes in his health. While listed, he may resume with his daily routine and activities at home. Once an organ has been accepted for him, you will receive a call to bring him to the hospital.