title: Limitations of Living Donor Liver Transplantation in Egyptian Children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In Egypt, the liver transplantation (LTx) program that became available since 2001 is a living donor program. We aimed to assess the obstacles to pediatric LTx.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over a six-month-period, 41 pediatric patients were indicated for LTx; their ages ranged between 1.5 months to 17 years. Patients and potential donors were evaluated according to the program protocol.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The obstacles for performing LTx were classified into recipient, donor and program obstacles or limitations. Each patient may have more than one limitation. Late presentation and co-morbid conditions were on the top of the recipient list of obstacles. Refusal of potential donors to donate was the commonest limitation on the donor side (33%). The commonest program limitations were young age and small size of the recipient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Limitations in recipient characteristics as well as donor shortage are still the main obstacles for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) in our pediatric liver disease patients. Small weight and young age of potential LDLT candidates are the principle causes for delaying this life saving procedure. Increasing community awareness about living organ donation and nutritional support for end stage liver disease (ESLD) babies is pivotal, given our limitation to a living donor program.
authors.forename: Hanaa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El-Karaksy
authors.forename: Nehal
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: El-Koofy
authors.forename: Rokaya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: El-Sayed
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Raziky
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rabah
authors.forename: Mortada
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Shabrawi
authors.forename: Emad
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Salama
authors.forename: Tamer
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: El-Baz
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: El-Shazly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D049628:Body Size; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D004534:Egypt / Q000453:epidemiology; D058625:End Stage Liver Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D016031:Liver Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D019520:Living Donors / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D066027:Transplant Recipients; D016896:Treatment Outcome