Burjeel Medical City, Abu Dhabi successfully performed the first liver transplant for children in the UAE.
The recipient was a four-year-old girl, and the surgery lasted for 12 hours.
This groundbreaking procedure marked the first pediatric liver transplant from a living donor in the country.
Why Radya needed Liver Transplant ?
The patient, Radya Khan, was diagnosed with a rare genetic liver condition known as Progressive Familial Intrahepatic Cholestasis (PFIC) type 3.
Her family was well aware of the devastating effects of this disease.
As they have lost their first daughter to the same condition three years ago.
Radya exhibited symptoms such as yellowing of the eyes and gum bleeding.
In addition to extreme fatigue when she was just three months old.
She received medication and underwent routine tests until she reached an age suitable for liver transplantation.
In recent years, her health prevented her from attending nursery and experiencing normal growth milestones.
Her father, a resident of the UAE for 14 years, expressed his anxiety, having lost their first daughter to the same condition.
He shared: “Every day was filled with fear and sadness after our second daughter was diagnosed with the same condition.
I feared losing her, just like her sister.”
Radya’s Medical Operation Details
Three months ago, routine examinations revealed splenomegaly (enlarged spleen) and hepatomegaly (enlarged liver) in Radya.
The doctors recommended considering a liver transplant, and the family explored available options within the UAE.
When they learned that the service was available at Burjeel Medical City (BMC), they consulted the transplant team without delay.
Dr. Rehan Saif, Consultant General Surgeon and Director of the Organ Transplant Program at BMC, explained that Radya’s condition was caused by a genetic mutation leading to impaired bile component formation and secretion.
Ultimately, this resulted in liver damage.
— BMC | Burjeel Medical City (@BurjeelMediCity) July 10, 2024
He emphasized that this disease manifests during infancy and early childhood, with signs of growth failure and liver failure complications.
Liver transplantation remains the definitive and sole treatment for these children.
After thorough evaluations and intensive tests, it was recommended to proceed with a liver transplant to save Radya’s life.
Her father volunteered to be the living donor.
The transplant team at Burjeel Medical City successfully performed simultaneous surgeries for both the donor and recipient.
Life-saving treatment in the UAE
Dr. Rehan Saif highlighted that this achievement is significant for the UAE’s medical sector.
Because it is ensuring that children with such life-threatening conditions receive life-saving treatments without the need to travel abroad.
Radya has made excellent progress following her liver transplant.
Mentioning that regular follow-up will allow her physical and cognitive growth to return to normal.
She will be able to attend school and enjoy her childhood like any other child her age.
A convoy of Emirati trucks loaded with various humanitarian aid crossed the Kerem Shalom crossing for the first time since the closure of the Rafah crossing last May 6, within the framework of the UAE’s relief role within Chivalrous knight operation 3 and its continued endeavor… pic.twitter.com/YNtgKdSxI8
— UAE Voice (@uae_voiceeng) July 10, 2024
