Six-month-old girl from Bhutan undergoes a successful live liver transplant at Gleneagles Health City,

Chennai, June 2024: Six-month-old baby girl from Bhutan who weighed 7.5 kilograms underwent a successful liver transplant surgery at Gleneagles Health City. Baby’s mother donated a portion of her liver as the finest present she could give to her daughter. Earlier treated in Kolkata, baby had been suffering from jaundice since birth, which was worsening progressively. She was diagnosed to be suffering from Biliary Atresia and was treated with medications. Despite treatment, baby continued to deteriorate.

As the days progressed mother noticed that baby’s body was getting bloated and also baby was becoming dull and irritable. She was brought to Gleneagles Health City from Bhutan in critical condition. The Doctors at the Gleneagles Health City were quick to diagnose child’s problem advising the parents that liver transplant surgery is the only curative option for ensuring Baby ‘s survival.

“The mother voluntarily came forward to donate a part of her liver to save her daughter’s life. Funds for the surgery, arranged by crowdfunding. Overnight, Baby and her mother became a sensation in Bhutan and the parents were able to raise more than the required funds for their baby’s surgery. She underwent a successful living donor liver transplantation on Women’s Day. The mother and baby were discharged in good health,” saidDr Joy Vargheese, Director of Hepatology & Transplant, Gleneagles HealthCity Chennai.

“Biliary Atresia occurring approximately in 1:20,000 live births and it is a condition wherein the bile ducts outside and inside the liver are blocked. Bile can’t flow into the intestine, so bile builds up in the liver and damages it. The damage leads to scarring and loss liver function over time eventually resulting in liver failure. Jaundice and pale stools that start in the first 4-8 weeks post-birth are the main symptoms of the disease”, said Dr Somashekara HR, Consultant Pediatric Hepatologist, Gleneagles HealthCity Chennai.

“At Gleneagles Health City Hospital, we strive to perform complex surgeries and save the lives of patients who have given up hope altogether. The case of six-month-old Baby’s successful surgery and her mother’s recuperation validates our firm belief in ourselves and our doctors,” said Dr. Nagesh K Rao, CEO, Gleneagles Health City Chennai.

The parents of Baby went ahead by giving back the extra funds collected by crowdfunding to other patients in Bhutan who required the same. Dr. Mettu Srinivas Reddy, Director of Liver Transplantation & HPB Surgery, Gleneagles HealthCity Chennai, assisted by a team experienced doctors including Dr. Rajanikanth P (Clinical Lead- Liver Transplantation & HPB Surgery), Dr. Selvakumar Malleeswaran (HOD – Liver Anesthesia & Critical Care) successfully performed the 8 hours long surgery.