Contents:
- Medical Video: Liver Transplant: Living donor, a Mother's Life-Saving Gift | Cincinnati Children's
- Physical changes
- Emotional change
- Social change
Medical Video: Liver Transplant: Living donor, a Mother's Life-Saving Gift | Cincinnati Children's
It is a happy feeling to know that your child has a healthy new heart. But you have not been released from danger. You still need to make sure your child's body can adjust well to the new heart and there are no other complications. This means that there will be some changes to your child. You must tell your child about this change.
Physical changes
Your child's body will go through some physical changes. Having surgery, especially liver transplantation, can stress your child's body. It is important for your child to rest for the next few months. This means making sure your child is getting enough rest and eating foods rich in nutrients from a healthy diet. To prevent muscle loss and ensure proper healing, your child's diet must include enough protein, calories, vitamins and minerals. If your child feels full every meal, you may have to give small portions 6 times a day instead of 3 large meals. Tell your doctor if your child has nausea or vomiting, lack of appetite or abnormal bowel movements.
Apart from the stress of surgery, immunosuppressive drugs prescribed by doctors can cause many unwanted side effects. Some side effects can affect the following parts:
- Skin: Some drugs can cause acne and dry skin. Make sure to wash your child's face at least twice a day.
- Mood: You might see your child become more angry. Let your child and the people around you know that it might be a side effect of drugs. Invite your child to talk about his feelings.
- Sleeplessness: Your child may have trouble sleeping or remain asleep. This will make your child more tired. Try to invite him to sleep during the day.
- Mouth: Your child's gums may bleed easily and teeth may be more sensitive to hot and cold drinks. It is recommended to brush at least twice a day. If you have any problems you must take your child to the dentist.
- Hair: Hair strands can become weak and can break easily. Make sure to gently comb the hair. Avoid coloring or perming your child's hair.
- Weight gain: There are several drugs that can increase blood sugar and cause weight gain like a steroid drug called prednisone. You should tell your doctor if you consistently see signs of diabetes and blood sugar.
- High blood pressure: There are several drugs that can increase blood pressure. Be sure not to have too much salt in the diet. Salt can contribute to high blood pressure.
Emotional change
In addition to mood changes caused by immunosuppressive drugs, your child will go through other emotional changes caused by liver transplants. Your child may not understand why his body will go through all these changes or why you will not let him go out and play with friends. The best way to deal with this is to talk openly and honestly with your child. Depending on your child's age, you can try to explain how having a new heart will require time to heal and adjust to normal life. Make them understand that the reason they have to take medication regularly, even when there are side effects, is to prevent their body from attacking a new liver. You can use simple pictures and words to help your explanation.
Encourage your child to ask questions and share their feelings. This can help to understand what your child is thinking. Entertain them and make them feel safe. When they know what changes will occur in their lives, they will be able to manage their emotions better.
Social change
Social change is difficult to avoid. In order to maintain the safety of your child, you need to avoid crowded areas for the first few months to one year. Places such as cinemas, supermarkets, shopping centers and buses will increase your child's risk of infection. Remember your child's immune system is weak. You have to do what you can to make sure your child doesn't get sick.
This may mean that your child cannot travel outside at school, stay with friends, or go to the theater to watch movies. Let your child know that this change may be temporary but will last for at least one year. The chances of any infection drastically drop after the first year. This does not mean there is no chance. While your child is on immunosuppressive drugs, the immune system will be weaker than others.
Changing your child's life is difficult to avoid after a liver transplant. The best way to manage this change is to know what will happen. Not explaining to your child will make them more difficult to adapt to change.
