International Symposium on Pediatric Liver Diseases & Transplant

International Symposium on Pediatric Liver Disease and Liver Transplant in India: A Boon for Children with Liver Diseases

Hyderabad, India - Experts from around the world gathered in Hyderabad to attend the International Symposium on Pediatric Liver Disease and Liver Transplant. The symposium aimed to discuss and exchange knowledge on the latest advancements in the field of pediatric liver disease and liver transplant.

India has a high burden of liver disease, with an estimated 10% of the population affected. Liver disease in children is also on the rise and the need for liver transplant in the pediatric population is increasing. According to the Indian Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (ISPGHAN), over 5,000 children in India require liver transplant every year. But only a fraction of them receive the procedure due to the limited availability of donor organs and resources.

The symposium was organized by the Liver pancreas foundation of Hyderabad, PACE hospitals in association with Liver Transplantation Society of India (LTSI), Indian Society of Gastroenterology Telangana Chapter, Hyderabad (TSISG), Pediatric Academy of Telangana state (PATS), Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana (OGH) and Gandhi Hospital, Hyderabad, Telangana address this growing burden of liver disease in children and to improve the diagnosis, treatment and management of pediatric liver diseases.

As per Dr. Phani Krishna Ravula, Surgical Gastroenterologist and Liver Transplant Surgeon at PACE Hospitals, Hyderabad; the symposium featured several sessions on various topics related to pediatric liver disease and liver transplant, such as metabolic liver diseases, viral hepatitis, liver tumors, acute liver failure and liver transplantation. The sessions were led by renowned international and national experts Dr. Shiv Kumar Sarin, Dr. Mohamed Rela, Dr. Subhash Gupta, Dr. Neelam Mohan, Dr. Amit Maydeo, Dr. Parijat Ram Tripathi, Dr. Anil Dhavan, Dr. Mario Kasahara, Dr. CH Madhusudan, Dr. Veereshwar Bhatnagar, Dr. Ashish Bavdekar who shared their experiences.

Dr. CH Madhusudan, Organizing Secretary, Senior Consultant Surgical Gastroenterologist, Adult and Pediatric Liver Transplant Surgeon, Osmania Medical College and PACE Hospitals spoke about the challenges of liver transplant in the pediatric population in India. He highlighted the need for greater awareness and education about liver disease in children, as well as the importance of early diagnosis and timely referral to specialized centers for treatment.

Dr. Subhash Gupta shared his experience of performing liver transplant in children with end-stage liver disease. He discussed the importance of selecting the right donor, ensuring proper surgical technique, and providing post-transplant care to ensure the best outcomes for children.

The symposium also provided a platform for young researchers to present their work through oral presentations. Several research studies on various aspects of pediatric liver disease and liver transplant were presented, highlighting the emerging trends and challenges in the field said Dr. CH Madhusudhan - Senior Liver Transplant Surgeon, Hyderabad.

There was a panel discussion on the future of pediatric liver disease and liver transplant in India. The experts emphasized the need for greater investment in research and infrastructure, as well as a collaborative approach involving healthcare providers, policymakers and patient groups to address the growing burden of liver disease in children.

In conclusion, the International Symposium on Pediatric Liver Disease and Liver Transplant - PLDT was a significant step towards improving the diagnosis, treatment and management of liver diseases in children in India. The symposium provided a platform for experts from around the world to share their knowledge and experiences to discuss the way forward for pediatric liver disease and liver transplant in India. With greater awareness, education and investment in research and infrastructure, it is hoped that more children in India will have access to life-saving liver transplant procedures. As per Dr. Govind Verma - Interventional Gastroenterologist, Transplant Hepatologist, Pancreatologist and Endosonologist, Organising chairman, PLDT 2023.

Mr. Rajeev Nannapaneni, Vice Chairman and CEO of Natco Pharma was the guest of Hounor in the Inauguration Ceremony wished such events would strengthen the fight against the Pediatric Liver diseases and transplant. He assured the continued industry support for such yeoman efforts.