Delhi: Father donates part of his liver to treat rare genetic disorder

In a remarkable medical intervention, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, New Delhi, has successfully performed a living donor liver transplant on a one-year-old boy from Uzbekistan suffering from a rare genetic condition called Alagille Syndrome. The baby’s father donated a portion of his liver, offering a lifeline after months of deteriorating health.

The child had developed jaundice shortly after birth and was initially misdiagnosed with biliary atresia, for which he underwent a Kasai procedure at two months old. Despite the early surgery, his condition continued to worsen, with persistent jaundice, severe itching, poor weight gain, delayed growth, and pale stools—all signs of progressive liver failure. Concerned about his rapid decline, the family sought specialised care in India.

At Max Hospital, a detailed evaluation revealed that the illness was not limited to the liver; the child also had a serious heart condition, increasing the risk of major surgery. After comprehensive assessment by a multidisciplinary team, doctors concluded that a liver transplant was the only viable option and needed to be performed urgently.

The baby’s father volunteered as a living donor. Following extensive pre-surgical evaluation to ensure the safety of both donor and child, the transplant was performed successfully by a specialised liver transplant team led by Dr Ajitabh Srivastava, Director – HPB Surgery and Liver Transplant, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj.

“Infants with prolonged jaundice are often treated for biliary atresia with the Kasai procedure,” Dr Srivastava explained. “But rare genetic conditions like Alagille Syndrome can closely mimic biliary atresia. In such cases, the Kasai surgery may not help and can even worsen the child’s condition. For this baby, timely living donor liver transplantation was the only life-saving option.”

The child is now on a steady path to recovery, highlighting how early diagnosis, coordinated medical care, and parental intervention at critical moments can transform outcomes in complex childhood illnesses.

With this successful transplant, Max Super Speciality Hospital, Patparganj, reinforces the importance of multidisciplinary care and cutting-edge medical intervention for children with rare liver disorders, offering them a chance at a healthier future.