A five-year-old from Zimbabwe was diagnosed with a rare condition of hepatopulmonary syndrome that affects the lung of the patient with advanced liver disease. Gurugram’s Artemis Hospital performed a successful liver transplant procedure after the child showed symptoms of liver cirrhosis and elevated blood pressure in the vein flowing towards the liver. According to the doctors, the child manifested other symptoms including recurrent chest infection, pneumonia, breathing difficulty, weight gain, and Jaundice.

The doctors stated that major volumes of his blood were bypassing the capillaries and were not getting mixed with oxygen. This made the condition serious and ensured a need for oxygen cylinders all the time.  Dr. Giriraj Bora, Chief Liver transplant, Artemis Hospital added that when the boy reached the hospital, the boy’s shunt fraction was just 67%. A liver transplant was planned immediately to save the child. He explained that they used a special ventilator for delivering nitric oxide to prevent the decline of oxygen levels in his body. 

The hospital is said to have supported that family on humanitarian grounds as they could not afford the treatment. The boy’s maternal uncle donated his liver for the procedure. Dr. Bora also stated that after the transplant, the boy is off the ventilator and breathing normally. However, he will remain on an immune suppressant to reduce the chances of possible rejection, but the doses will be reduced over time.

Source:- FE healthcare