MyHealth.Alberta.ca Network

Liver Transplant in Children: What to Expect at Home

Your Child's Recovery

A liver transplant is surgery to give your child a healthy liver from another person. Your child may have received a whole new liver or just a section of a new liver.

Your child's belly and side will be sore after surgery. There may also be some numbness around the cut (incision) the doctor made. It is common to feel tired while healing. It may take 2 to 4 months for your child's energy to fully return.

After the transplant, your child must take medicine to keep the body from rejecting the new liver. These anti-rejection medicines have side effects. One side effect is that the body may be less able to fight infections. You can talk with your transplant team about ways to lower your child's chance of getting an infection.

You and your child should be prepared to stay in the city where the transplant takes place for 3 months after transplant. Your child will have frequent checkups during that time. Your child's medicines may be changed as needed.

Having a child who is getting an organ transplant can bring up many emotions. Seek out family, friends, and counsellors for support. If you think that you or your child is depressed, ask your transplant team for help. Treatment can help you and your child feel better.

This care sheet gives you a general idea about how long it will take for your child to recover. But each child recovers at a different pace. Follow the steps below to help your child get better as quickly as possible.

How can you care for your child at home?

Activity

Have your child rest when they feel tired.
Allow your child's body to heal. Don't let your child move quickly or lift anything heavy until the doctor says it is okay.
Have your child hold a pillow over the incision when they cough or take deep breaths. This will support the belly and decrease pain.
If your child is a teen, ask your doctor when they can drive again.
Your doctor will tell you when your child is able to return to their usual activities.
Your doctor will tell you when your child can bathe or swim after surgery.

Diet

Follow the instructions from your transplant team about what your child can eat after surgery. Most children start eating a regular diet over time after the transplant.
If your child's bowel movements are not regular after going home, you can help your child avoid constipation and straining. Have your child drink plenty of water. Your transplant team may suggest fibre, a stool softener, or a mild laxative.

Medicines

Your transplant team will tell you if and when your child can restart their medicines. The team will also give you instructions about your child taking any new medicines.
Give your child anti-rejection medicines exactly as prescribed. Talk to your transplant team or call your nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if you think your child is having a problem with the medicine.
If your child needs antibiotics or antiviral or antifungal medicines, give them as directed.
Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
- If your child is not taking a prescription pain medicine, ask your transplant team if your child can take an over-the-counter medicine. Do not give your child acetaminophen (Tylenol) or any over-the-counter medicines with acetaminophen unless your transplant team tells you it's okay.
- If the doctor gave your child a prescription medicine for pain, give it as prescribed.
- Store your child's prescription pain medicines where no one else can get to them. When your child is done using them, dispose of them quickly and safely. Your local pharmacy or hospital may have a drop-off site.
Check with your transplant team before your child has a dental visit or needs dental work.

Incision care

If your child has strips of tape on the incision, leave the tape on until it falls off.
If the incision is closed with staples, the staples will be removed a few weeks after surgery.
Gently wash the area daily with warm, soapy water, and pat it dry. Don't use hydrogen peroxide or alcohol, which can slow healing. You may cover the area with a gauze bandage if it oozes or rubs against clothing.
Change the bandage every day or if it gets wet or dirty.
Keep the area clean and dry.

Follow-up care is a key part of your child's treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your transplant team or nurse advice line (811 in most provinces and territories) if your child is having problems. It's also a good idea to know your child's test results and keep a list of the medicines your child takes.

When should you call for help?

Call 911 anytime you think your child may need emergency care. For example, call if:

Your child has trouble breathing.
Your child passes out (loses consciousness).
Your child has sudden chest pain, is short of breath, or coughs up blood.
Your child has severe belly pain.

Call your transplant team or nurse advice line now or seek immediate medical care if:

Your child has a fever, chills, or body aches.
Your child has been exposed to chickenpox or shingles.
Your child has signs of infection, such as:
- Increased pain, swelling, warmth, or redness.
- Red streaks leading from the incision.
- Pus draining from the incision.
Your child's body shows signs of rejecting the new liver, such as:
- Pain or swelling in the belly.
- Sudden weight gain.
- The skin or the whites of the eyes turn yellow.
- Dark urine.
- Headache, crankiness, or lack of energy.
- Light-coloured or bloody stools.
Your child has symptoms of a blood clot in the leg (called a deep vein thrombosis), such as:
- Pain in the calf, back of the knee, thigh, or groin.
- Swelling in the leg or groin.
- A colour change on the leg or groin. The skin may be reddish or purplish, depending on your child's usual skin colour.
Your child has pain that does not get better after taking pain medicine.
Your child has loose stitches, or the incision comes open.
Your child is bleeding through the bandage.
Your child is sick to their stomach or vomiting or cannot keep down fluids or their anti-rejection medicines.
Your child has trouble passing stool, especially if they have pain or swelling in the lower belly.
Your child has any problems with any of their anti-rejection medicine.

Watch closely for changes in your child's health, and be sure to contact your transplant team or nurse advice line if you have questions.

Where can you learn more?

Go to https://www.healthwise.net/patientEd

Enter L375 in the search box to learn more about "Liver Transplant in Children: What to Expect at Home".

Adapted with permission from copyrighted materials from Healthwise, Incorporated (Healthwise). This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty and is not responsible or liable for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.