The pediatric liver transplant program at Children's Memorial has one of the largest and most experienced pediatric liver transplant teams in the world and is the largest program of its kind in the State of Illinois. This clinical expertise and kid-focused experience matters on multiple levels — better transplant outcomes often occur at centers with higher patient volumes.
- Our liver transplant team is one of the world's most experienced, offering the combined expertise of leaders who each garner 20-plus years of liver transplantation experience.
- More than 220 procedures have been performed, and approximately 600 transplant patients have been managed.
- The program features the region's largest pediatric hepatology teams. Three full-time pediatric hepatologists focus primarily on children with liver disease and five gastroenterologists treat a range of digestive disorders — a special group that makes our approach to patients' liver care unlike any other in the area.
- In addition to their surgical skills and innovative approaches, our pediatric surgeons' expertise and compassion make our program unique. Trained first as pediatric surgeons and then furthering their skills in transplantation, this unique union of skills, experience and caring is reflected throughout our program. Find more examples of family support programs here.
Background on liver disease in children
- Serious liver disease affects approximately 1 in every 2,500 children in the United States. Illnesses such as biliary atresia (the most prevalent form of lethal chronic liver disease that strikes infants), acute viral hepatitis and other serious conditions can erode liver function leading to a spectrum of clinical problems ranging from impaired growth and development to death.
- Less than 15 years ago, most young children diagnosed with biliary atresia died before the age of two because they were considered too small to receive a liver transplant. Now, infants with this condition are routinely transplanted with high success rates. A major hurdle to overcome has been the scarcity of donors in this age group. This has led to advances in both cadaveric and living donor donation. Find more information here on biliary atresia.
For more information on liver transplants, please email us at
SiragusaTransplantWeb@childrensmemorial.org.*
* PLEASE NOTE: To protect your privacy, it is the policy of Children's Memorial Hospital to discourage the sending of protected health information via e-mail. For questions about possible referrals, please contact the nurses and other staff members at 1.800.KIDS DOC. (1.800.543.7362)