Chennai Toddler Undergoes Life-Changing Liver Transplant at MGM Malar Hospital
In a remarkable medical achievement, a 22-month-old boy from Chennai has successfully undergone a liver transplant at MGM Malar Hospital last month, effectively ending his dependence on dialysis for renal failure. The condition was caused by primary hyperoxaluria, an exceptionally rare genetic disorder that severely impacts liver function.
From Diagnosis to Critical Intervention
When the child was just seven months old, medical professionals at another hospital initiated peritoneal dialysis, a treatment designed to remove waste products and excess fluid from the bloodstream. Despite this intervention, his health continued to deteriorate, compelling his concerned parents to seek advanced care at MGM Malar Hospital.
Comprehensive diagnostic tests ultimately confirmed the presence of primary hyperoxaluria. This genetic disorder occurs when the liver fails to produce a crucial enzyme due to problems in the AGXT gene, explained Dr. Anil Vaidya, senior transplant surgeon and director of the hospital's Institute of Multi-Visceral and Abdominal Organ Transplant.
The Science Behind the Condition
"Glyoxylate, a natural building block in the body, is typically converted by the liver into harmless waste called oxalate through a specific enzyme produced by the AGXT gene," Dr. Vaidya elaborated. "When this enzyme malfunctions, oxalate accumulates excessively in the system."
The kidneys attempt to eliminate this excess oxalate, but instead, it binds with calcium to form painful stones in the kidneys and urinary tract. In pediatric patients with this condition, kidney failure often develops at an early age, making dialysis a necessary but temporary solution.
The Surgical Decision and Challenges
Dr. Vaidya informed the parents, Ajith Kumar and Bhanumathy, that a liver transplant could potentially cure their son. However, a significant challenge emerged: the boy weighed only 9 kilograms at the time of evaluation.
"Delaying the procedure until he gained more weight and grew older would have substantially increased the risk of complete kidney loss," Dr. Vaidya emphasized. The medical team determined that immediate intervention was crucial despite the child's small size.
A Grandmother's Gift of Life
The surgical team performed the complex transplant using a portion of the liver donated by the boy's maternal grandmother. "Remarkably, just one day after the surgery, his kidneys began functioning properly again," Dr. Vaidya reported. "The new liver now produces the previously missing enzyme, effectively halting the overproduction of oxalate."
Bhanumathy expressed overwhelming relief and joy at her son's recovery. "He looks healthy and happy after the surgery," she shared. "We are eagerly looking forward to celebrating his second birthday next week—a milestone we weren't sure we would reach."
This successful pediatric liver transplant represents a significant advancement in treating rare genetic disorders in India, offering hope to families facing similar medical challenges.
