Pediatric Liver (Hepatology) Disease Center

Comprehensive treatment for pediatric liver disease, including the only pediatric liver transplant program in North Texas.

Our center brings together pediatric hepatologists (liver experts) and other specialists to help children with a range of different liver conditions. The experience on our team, combined with advanced tools and techniques, makes our center one of the most specialized pediatric liver centers in the country.

We treat liver conditions of all kinds and severity. This includes fatty liver disease, the most common liver disease in the U.S. Fatty liver disease affects 1 in 10 children, and is even more common among children with obesity. We provide expert diagnosis, including the use of noninvasive ways to assess the amount of fat in the liver and the extent of liver disease. We offer our patients with fatty liver disease complete care that includes diet and lifestyle support from registered dietitians as well as emotional help from specialized psychologists.

Other liver conditions that we can treat includes congenital liver disease, biliary atresia and autoimmune liver disease.

For children who need a new liver, our transplant program is the only local provider to offer pediatric liver transplant. We have performed transplants for children from all across the state and neighboring states. Our outcomes are consistently better than the national average. Our hepatologists have special training to care for patients with liver transplants.

Our Programs

Pediatric Organ Transplant Support Team

Our Programs

Pediatric Organ Transplant Support Team

Conditions We Treat

Hepatologists and other specialists working side by side

Every patient at our center is seen by a board-certified pediatric hepatologist or gastroenterologist who specializes in liver disease. Many pediatric hospitals don’t have experts like these on their team, making our center one of the most specialized in the country.

Our liver experts are also surrounded by a range of other specialists who are often necessary to care for complex liver conditions. These specialists include:

Experts in other parts the body that may be affected by liver disease, such as the heart, kidney and blood
Psychologists, dietitians and social workers, who help with various clinical, emotional and social aspects of managing liver disease
Experts in advanced endoscopy and radiology techniques that provide less-invasive ways of diagnosing and treating liver diseases

These specialists all work together as one team to give you and your child the full care and support you need.

Dr. Andersen went out of his way to give us information about the diagnosis (Alpha 1-antitrypsin deficiency) and he did not leave us in the dark about anything. He promised that we would get through this diagnosis together.
Jaidan's mom

Advanced treatments and research

Our teams use the latest technology and methods to diagnose and treat liver conditions. These include tools like ultrasound and magnetic resonance elastography to view the liver for scarring or other damage. They also include skilled procedures like transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). This is a way of fixing bleeding in the esophagus caused by liver disease by using a minimally invasive technique instead of making an incision in the abdomen.

Our center is involved in multiple clinical trials to help advance the world’s approach to liver disease even further. One day, these may lead to new treatments that help children and babies overcome liver failure or manage pruritus (severe itchiness) and other difficult symptoms caused by liver disease.

Hepatologists and other specialists working side by side

Every patient at our center is seen by a board-certified pediatric hepatologist or gastroenterologist who specializes in liver disease. Many pediatric hospitals don’t have experts like these on their team, making our center one of the most specialized in the country.

Our liver experts are also surrounded by a range of other specialists who are often necessary to care for complex liver conditions. These specialists include:

Experts in other parts the body that may be affected by liver disease, such as the heart, kidney and blood
Psychologists, dietitians and social workers, who help with various clinical, emotional and social aspects of managing liver disease
Experts in advanced endoscopy and radiology techniques that provide less-invasive ways of diagnosing and treating liver diseases

These specialists all work together as one team to give you and your child the full care and support you need.

Advanced treatments and research

Our teams use the latest technology and methods to diagnose and treat liver conditions. These include tools like ultrasound and magnetic resonance elastography to view the liver for scarring or other damage. They also include skilled procedures like transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS). This is a way of fixing bleeding in the esophagus caused by liver disease by using a minimally invasive technique instead of making an incision in the abdomen.

Our center is involved in multiple clinical trials to help advance the world’s approach to liver disease even further. One day, these may lead to new treatments that help children and babies overcome liver failure or manage pruritus (severe itchiness) and other difficult symptoms caused by liver disease.

Miloh enjoys an active childhood after a liver transplant

Megan had what most would consider a textbook pregnancy with her firstborn son, Miloh. Though he spent several hours in the NICU after delivery because of fluid in his lungs, he was soon back in the hospital room with his mom and went home just a few days later, happy and healthy.

Once a transplant patient at Children's Health, Monse now gives back as a nurse

Shortly after Monse was born, she started displaying symptoms that something was wrong with her liver. She was admitted to Children‘s Medical Center Dallas and diagnosed with biliary atresia, a serious condition which occurs when the bile ducts are blocked or don't function normally, causing bile to back up in the liver. Though biliary atresia can often be repaired through a surgical procedure known as the Kasai procedure, Monse's liver was so badly damaged that doctors determined a liver transplant was her only option. She was placed on the transplant list and remained in the hospital while her family awaited news of a donor.

Daniel lives life with purpose after a liver transplant

Daniel comes from a long line of athletes. His grandfather was a successful track and field athlete who represented Colombia at the national and international level. His mother was also a dedicated athlete who taught him the importance of making healthy choices and staying active from a young age. Throughout his childhood in Colombia, Daniel was surrounded by family members who supported his healthy lifestyle and pursuit to become one of the top BMX athletes in Colombia by the age of 13.

Born with biliary atresia, Cooper thrives under the care of liver experts at Children's Health

When Cooper was 2 weeks old, he began showing signs of jaundice, a common condition in which a newborn's skin appears yellow due to increased levels of bilirubin in their blood. Typically, the condition improves as the baby's liver begins functioning as it should. However, when Cooper's symptoms persisted at his 2-month check-up, his pediatrician suggested they check his blood levels to determine the cause.