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Two areas of advancement for patients and families of children who are undergoing liver transplant recovery are immunologic testing and immunosuppression withdrawal.
Immunosuppressive therapy is medication that helps prevent your child’s body from rejecting its new liver — and it’s a critical step in pediatric liver transplant recovery.
Your child’s immune system is designed to identify and fight off foreign invaders, like bacteria, viruses, and cancer cells.
When your child receives a new liver, his or her body may detect that antigens on the organ’s cells do not match their own. This triggers an immune response that “attacks” the new liver and creates a variety of harmful side effects for your child.
To prevent this, doctors prescribe a series of immunosuppressive medications that slow the immune system’s response, so the liver can work properly.
Immunosuppressive drugs suppress or weaken the immune system to minimize the body’s reaction to the new, foreign liver. These medications allow the liver to remain healthy, as well as minimize side effects.
It is critical that patients on immunosuppressive drugs take their medications directly as prescribed each day — changes in the way they take the medication could trigger an immune response. Over time, doctors may adjust or change the type of medication your child takes.
With the help of investigators at the Hillman Center for Pediatric Transplantation and around the country, we have designed simple blood tests that may help determine why some patients need more immunosuppression and some need less.
These tests measure different immune cell types, the patient’s genetic ability to cause immune reactions, and the patient’s immune reactions to their new liver after a transplant procedure.
To participate, call your UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh liver transplant coordinator at 412-692-6110 option 1 and schedule a visit.
While some patients may require drug withdrawal due to infections or other emergency indications, other patients may be candidates for elective drug withdrawal after liver transplantation.
Immunosuppression is weaned as part of our ongoing clinical efforts to minimize the complications of immune suppressants. Weaning of immunosuppression is individually tailored to each patient.
What are the criteria for considering elective drug withdrawal?
For more information, contact a Children’s Hospital liver transplant coordinator at 412-692-6110 option 1.
Learn more about Pediatric Liver Transplants at UPMC Children's Hospital.
Children's Hospital's main campus is located in the Lawrenceville neighborhood. Our main hospital address is:
UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh One Children’s Hospital Way 4401 Penn Ave. Pittsburgh, PA 15224
In addition to the main hospital, Children's has many convenient locations in other neighborhoods throughout the greater Pittsburgh region.
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