Bengaluru: A five-year-old girl from Assam, who was critical after suffering from a rare liver disease, received a new lease of life when she underwent a seven-hour emergency liver transplant surgery at a city hospital from the organ donated by her mother.
Koel (name changed) visited Sakra World Hospital after complaining of rapidly progressive jaundice that developed within a week. She was immediately admitted to the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit and her condition was stabilised. Investigation revealed that she was suffering from Wilson’s disease. It is a rare condition where copper accumulates in the liver, leading to progressive deterioration of normal hepatic functions. The symptoms usually start when a patient is between 12 and 23 years of age. But, in Koel’s case, the very first presentation of Wilson’s disease was an acute liver failure. The condition is fatal if not treated immediately.
To counter the rapid advancement of her liver failure, Koel’s name was added to the top of Bengaluru’s cadaver liver transplantation list. Fortunately, her mother had same blood group and volunteered to be a liver donor. Since two out of the eight segments of her mother’s liver along with the blood supply and biliary drainage were found suitable and matched with Koel’s, the clinical team decided to go ahead with Koel’s mother as her donor.
Both the mother and daughter recovered from the procedure well and were discharged. “I am extremely grateful. The happiness of watching my daughter running around laughing, gives me so much joy,” said the father.
Doctors said lifestyles are affecting liver health. “Today’s busy professional demands quick meals on the go (which lack vitamins and minerals), sedentary office work and alcohol consumption to unwind the evening, forgetting the detrimental impact on the liver. The recent threats are dual — alcohol consumption with a fatty diet. Regular consumption of alcohol, 80 gms over 10 years for men and 40 gms over 5 years for women can trigger serious health issues. Alcohol consumption of people aged 20-30 is more in Bengaluru than in other cities. Peer pressure often adds to alcohol consumption,” said Dr M.S. Sandeep, senior consultant, gastroenterologist, Apollo Hospitals, Seshadripuram.
