About the Liver Transplant Program
Our Pediatric Liver Transplant Program will provide your child with the best possible care as they prepare for, undergo and recover from a liver transplant. The program is led by liver transplant physicians and surgeons who are dedicated exclusively to transplantation and liver surgery for children. They have experience with the most complex pediatric cases and have performed all forms of liver transplants and surgeries:
- Cadaveric (from a deceased donor)
- Whole organ
- Split (segments going to two recipients)
- Living donor
- Liver resections
In addition to our transplant surgeons, CHOP has one of the nation's largest pediatric hepatology (the branch of medicine related to the study of liver disease) services. These experts have extensive experience caring for both transplant patients and children with liver diseases. They are also supported by several other pediatric specialists from all areas of the hospital.
Caring for children before, during and after liver transplant
Children who undergo liver transplant will need a lifetime of follow-up care. The Liver Transplant Program's partnership with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania ensures patients have excellent care throughout childhood and adolescence, then a seamless transition to an equally strong adult program.
If your family is coming to CHOP from a distance, we can coordinate with your child's local specialists and divide your child's follow-up visits between the hospital and local facilities, so you can reduce your travel time.
We have also developed a guide for patients and families to learn about important topics including the transplant evaluation process, waiting for a transplant, transplant surgery, post-transplant care, and life after transplant.
Liver transplant research
At Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, we conduct one of the largest pediatric research programs in the world. Our goal is that one day we will be able to prevent children with liver diseases and abnormalities from needing transplants. For those who will still need transplants, we work to improve surgical techniques and medications to improve transplant survival rates and quality of life.
Our collaboration with the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania allows us to devote time to both basic and clinical research, and provides our patients with access to the latest therapies, trials and research protocols.
Right now, research focuses on:
- Investigating the origins of pediatric liver disease
- Studying liver regeneration after transplantation
- Examining ways to increase the body's tolerance of the transplanted liver
- Quality of life studies
- Safety and efficacy of immunization after transplantation
Why choose CHOP's pediatric liver transplant program?
CHOP has one of the largest pediatric liver transplant centers in the country. Our surgeons perform anywhere from 10 to 24 pediatric liver transplants each year. To date, the program has performed nearly 350 liver transplants, and our survival rates consistently exceed national averages. Learn more about CHOP's program.