Undergoing a liver transplant is a life-changing opportunity for children with a disease or condition that damages the liver or prevents the organ from functioning normally.
It is a treatment option also explored for children with acute liver failure.
Liver transplant for children is also often considered for patients who have biliary atresia or primary sclerosing cholangitis, diseases that are characterized by the narrowing or obstruction of the bile ducts, as well as those who have hepatoblastoma, which is a rare type of tumor that originates in the cells of the liver.
Ensuring successful liver transplantation is often a long and arduous process.
It can be a challenge to explain the gravity of such a situation to young patients, prepare them for surgery and recovery, and help them understand the risks and rewards of undergoing the procedure.
If you find yourself in such a situation, however, there are tips you can use to ensure your child is ready for this significant milestone in their treatment process.
Prepare for an Age-appropriate Discussion
To communicate the idea of a liver transplant as clearly as possible to your child, you need to see eye to eye with them and explain the situation in terms they can understand.
Children under 4 cannot yet grasp the gravity of such a procedure. Still, those between the ages of 4 to 6 can understand that the human body has numerous components with different functions.
As kids grow older, their knowledge of the human body can grow more profound, allowing you to discuss their condition in greater detail.
If needed, make use of books, playtime, and visual aids to help your child grasp the ideas that you are trying to convey.
Break Down the Topic of the Liver Transplant
There’s no need to talk about liver transplants with your child in one sitting. Break the discussion into small bits and pieces to prevent your child from being overwhelmed by the information they have yet to understand fully.
Take the opportunity to discuss the function of the liver in a chat, what can go wrong with it in another, and talk about the benefits of having a new liver later on.
This way, your child has time and space to chew on the ideas you want to communicate.
Focus on the Message of Survival and Healing
Going through a liver transplant is a big step for young patients. Familiarising them with what this procedure means can help them understand how it will change their life and the anxiety they might feel toward it.
It’s also a good idea to steer the conversation to how a liver transplant can help them heal and recover from their condition.
Be Open to Your Child’s Questions and Concerns
Children are naturally curious about their bodies, and your little one will likely have many questions about what will happen to them and what they should expect after the liver transplant.
Express openness to receiving questions. If you’re not sure about the answer, bring it up with your transplant team so they can help you deal with questions that children often ask.
It’s also an option to encourage your child to approach the health provider on your next visit to see how the said professional will address your child’s concerns.
Familiarise Your Child with Evaluation Procedures
Your child will undergo several tests to evaluate how likely they will benefit from a liver transplant.
One of the things that you can do to help your child maximize their chances of being fit for this procedure is reviewing their immunization records and seeing that they have adequate protection against pneumococcal disease and hepatitis A and B.
Telling your child about their other tests can also help them feel less fearful about these upcoming evaluations.
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Prepare for Your Child’s Possible Reactions
Children are quick to pick up the emotions of the people around them, and the way you deliver information about liver transplants can dictate how they will respond to it.
As such, take care to approach the topic with confidence and positivity.
Also, prepare yourself for how your child might react to your conversations.
Some children can be pretty calm about undergoing a liver transplant and move on from the topic quickly, while others will try to mull over the idea quietly.
Some might be upset by it. In the case of the former, check in now and then to ask if they have questions or concerns.
If your child needs more time to process their emotions, give them space and bring up the topic again once they’re ready.
Through all these, remember that you have a transplant team behind you that can help your child prepare for the possibility of undergoing a liver transplant.
Use the resources available to you so that you, too, can sustain yourself throughout this challenging process and serve as a reliable source of support for your little one.
