Awaiting a Liver Transplant

Once your child is listed for liver transplant, your liver team will work closely with your family and the patient to keep them healthy while they wait for transplant.

Infection Prevention

Some infections may delay transplant, for example RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and influenza, among others. Since your child will be immune suppressed immediately after transplant, they would have difficulty fighting off an active infection. 

Hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of infection. Have your child and family wash their hands frequently and use antibacterial hand sanitizer as appropriate. 

You should try your best to avoid sick contacts. Screen friends and family for illness before interactions like parties, and avoid anyone who is ill or recently recovering from an illness. 

Your transplant team will provide vaccination recommendations for your child. Work with your child’s pediatrician so your child can get vaccines prior to transplant in a timely fashion. Live vaccines should be avoided unless you are instructed by your transplant to have them done. 

Promptly report any concerns of illness to your transplant provider including, but not limited to:

• Fever >101.5F
• Runny nose
• Cough
• Abdominal pain
• Lethargy
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

It is important to be evaluated for any illness quickly so that the appropriate treatment can be started. Please call 312.227.4030 during business hours to report illness or 312.227.4000 overnight/ weekends to have the on-call liver doctor paged. 

Nutrition

Proper nutrition is key while awaiting liver transplant. View more nutrition information here. 

Maintain Good Communication

While your child is on the liver transplant waiting list, it is very important to maintain good communication. We recommend: 

• Always having your cell phone with you 
• Making sure your voicemail is set up, and checking messages regularly 

Know that you may be called in the middle of the night to come to the hospital if a liver becomes available. Let your transplant team know if you are going out of town. You should have a plan in place for quick return should a liver become available. 

If you can not afford your phone payments, please let your team and alternate arranges can be made. You should also sign up for MyChart to be able to electronically communicate with your child’s team. 

Please alert us immediately with any changes in phone number, address or health insurance provider.