Pediatric Liver Transplant Program

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Children who have transplants are cared for at Riley Hospital for Children, a world-class hospital created just for our young patients. In 2004, Clarian performed 13 pediatric liver transplants. We have performed more than 130 pediatric liver transplants since 1988. Riley physicians are part of The Clarian Transplant Center, one of the nation's top ranked transplant centers. also includes Indiana University Hospital and Methodist Hospital, where adult transplants are performed.

Families often experience a short waiting time between listing children for transplant and the actual transplant procedure. Some pediatric patients have been transplanted within weeks of being evaluated.

Some families inquire about the possibility of using a living donor for a child's liver transplant. While we have this capability, it is usually not necessary to use a living donor to have a successful transplant here. We know parents want to do anything in the world to help their child. Ideally, parents need to be at their best and healthiest to provide the care and support their child needs following a transplant. This can most often be achieved by finding an appropriate non-living donor organ.

Your child will be well cared for at Riley, a facility with a reputation for its expertise and child friendliness.

Read some of our patient success stories:

Timing is Everything

Dawn Cuskaden wasn't alarmed 15 years ago when her newborn baby girl, Ashley, was put under lights to help her body rid itself of excess bilirubin making her jaundice.

But, when her baby remained jaundice two weeks later, this new mom thought there might be a problem. Ashley Watson's South Bend doctors referred the family to Riley Hospital for Children after finding that her liver was enlarged. Riley physicians explained that Ashley was one in 15,000 children born each year with biliary atresia, an obstruction of the bile ducts, which prohibit the body from removing waste from the liver to the gallbladder.

At a mere four weeks old, Ashley was in the care of Riley surgeons who performed a Kasai procedure to connect the liver to the small intestine, bypassing her malformed ducts. While some children undergo this operation successfully and grow normally into adulthood, most will eventually require a transplant.

Such was the case for Ashley.

A.J. Tector, MD, director of Organ Transplantation, was one of the surgeons who gave 14-year-old Ashley a new liver in October 2005. "She's quite a remarkable young lady," Tector says. "She's very courageous and excited to get this new gift."

The gift of life came at "the perfect time," Dawn notes. "They told me her liver was like that of a 60-year-old alcoholic."

"I just can't believe the difference in her now," Dawn says. "I find myself staring because she's so beautiful. Her skin color's normal and the whites of her eyes so vibrant."

The family recognizes they are blessed to have a healthy daughter. "Not only that," Dawn says, "we feel fortunate to have had all the Riley staff. They are amazing," Dawn shares. "They are such experts in their field, you don't have to concern yourself with getting a second opinion."

[Keywords: liver transplant, bilirubin, jaundice]

Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. If you have medical concerns, seek the guidance of a medical professional. Consult your physician about any medications, supplements or treatments you are considering, and when seeking treatment, disclose all medications you are taking or treatments you are receiving. Riley Hospital for Children, University Pediatric Associates and IU School of Medicine disclaim any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.

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