Diagnosis & Treatment
How We Diagnose Liver Disorders
Our team’s first priority is to make an accurate diagnosis of your child’s condition. The diagnostic process may include:
- Blood and liver tests: measures the functioning of the liver to determine its health.
- Liver biopsy: removes a sample of liver tissue to be examined under a microscope.
- Diagnostic imaging tests: ultrasound, computerized tomography (CT), or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to create a detailed picture of your child’s liver.
- Advanced focused genetic analyses: Uses genetic information to determine biological function
How We Treat Liver Disorders
After we make an accurate diagnosis of your child’s condition, our pediatric specialists craft a safe and effective treatment plan together with the patient and family. Possible treatments may include:
Lifestyle Changes
Excessive weight can lead to liver damage. Our dieticians can work with you and your child to develop food and eating habits that help the liver.
Medication
Whether on its own or with other treatment plans, we will work closely with local physicians and pharmacies to treat your child’s condition with the right medication. We educate you regarding the reason for the medications, including the risks and benefits of particular agents and alternative treatments.
Liver Surgery
Using minimally invasive techniques, our surgeons can remove or repair damaged liver tissue, blood vessels, and other vital organs. Our transplant surgeons perform novel tumor resections using advanced techniques not offered at traditional cancer centers.
Liver Transplant
When liver damage is severe, we can replace the organ from either a deceased donor or a living donor. Living donors can include family members or individuals who are unrelated to your child but who are a good match and are willing and able to donate a portion of their healthy liver. The most common liver disease in children that requires transplantation is biliary atresia. Other serious liver diseases include Alagille's Syndrome, alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency, Wilson's disease, hepatitis, and certain liver cancers. Our surgeons are specialists in performing partial transplants into very small children.
Clinical Trials
Our physicians participate in a wide range of clinical research studies. Our patients have the opportunity to receive treatments only available here, or at a few hospitals across the country.