Mother donates part of liver to 12-year-old son in lifesaving transplant

Parents, Divyam Patel and Dr Lalit verma. Image credits: Global Hospital, Mumbai

Mumbai: A mother from Surat, selflessly donated a portion of her liver to her 12-year-old son who was suffering from severe acute liver failure. Dr Lalit Verma, Dr Gaurav Chaubal and the liver transplant team successfully conducted an intricate 12-hour transplant surgery to save the child's life. The child has now been discharged from the hospital and is gearing up to return to school as he did before.

Divyam Patel was doing well until he developed a high fever and began vomiting. He received outpatient care with supportive treatment and oral antibiotics in Surat. However, after 5 days, he had altered consciousness and was admitted to a tertiary care hospital on 27/12/ 23 in altered consciousness. Due to liver failure indicated by abnormal liver function tests, he required an urgent transplant. Subsequently, he was transferred to Global Hospitals in Parel Mumbai for further treatment.

Dr Lalit Verma, Sr Consultant, Pediatric Liver Transplant Program said, "With continuous higher requirement of ventilator support and risk of internal bleeding decision was made to perform a liver transplant on super urgent basis. He was having severe acute liver failure secondary to the Hepatitis A virus. Approximately 99 percent of patients who contract Hepatitis A infection recover without hospitalisation. However, 0.5 to 1 percent of patients may require ICU care and some may need to undergo liver transplant with worsening of liver function (jaundice, bleeding, multi-organ failure). His mother with the same blood group came forward to donate a part of her liver. The required test was performed in a record time.

Dr Gaurav Chaubal, Director of Liver, Pancreas, Intestine Transplant and HPB Surgery led a team to perform a 12-hour surgery and was discharged 12 days after surgery. Divyam miraculously responded to the treatment and recovered in 12 days post-surgery "After the successful transplant, Divyam has shown remarkable progress and a strong desire to return to normalcy. His appetite and overall activity have significantly improved. His eagerness to resume school reflects not only his determination but his innate resilience," said Dr Chaubal.

"As a mother, witnessing my son's struggle with liver failure was heartbreaking. The fear of losing him consumed me until the doctors stepped in and gave us hope through a life-saving liver transplant. Their team of dedicated medical professionals worked tirelessly to ensure the success of the procedure. I am forever grateful for their expertise and commitment. Witnessing the transformation in my son post-transplant has been nothing short of miraculous. He can now eat well and has resumed his daily routine. He will soon be meeting his friends as he intends to join the school in some days. We have realized the importance of organ donation and will advocate for raising awareness about this critical issue," concluded Mrunalini Patel.