Pediatric Liver Transplantation Information for Healthcare Professionals

Chapter 14: Glossary

ABO Typing – ABO typing is blood typing for A, B. AB and O blood type individuals, the four major blood type groups.  An Rh factor is also obtained, either negative or positive, which is important in blood transfusions, but not as important for solid organ tissue typing.

Anesthesiologist – A doctor who administers special medicine in the operating room to allow your child to sleep during surgery.  The same doctors are responsible for providing pain medication during and after the surgery. 

Antigen – An antigen is a substance that triggers an immune response.  It is the molecule that the body recognizes as “nonself”.  For example, the antigen for chicken pox is the virus varicella.  Because the body does not recognize the virus, the immune system triggers antibodies to fight off the infection.  The antibodies have memory, so the next time your child is exposed to chicken pox, his body “remembers” and the virus does not develop.

Arterial blood Gas (ABG) – A blood test that measures how well the body is using oxygen.

Ascites – Excess fluid accumulation in the abdominal cavity caused by progressive liver disease.

Biliary tree – A series of ducts that transport bile from the liver, where it is made, to the duodenum or small intestine, where the bile is used to digest food.

Bile - A substance that is secreted from the liver cells and is important in the digestion of fats.  Bile is yellow in color and is stored in the gallbladder.

Bilirubin – A substance which is formed from the breakdown of red blood cells.  In its conjugated form, it is water soluble.

Central line – An indwelling intravenous catheter used to provide medication, nutrition and blood products and to access for blood drawing.

Cirrhosis – A term used to describe changes to the liver in chronic liver disease.  The disease is characterized by the formation of scar tissue and degenerative changes in the liver cell.

Child life specialist – A member of the staff that provides emotional support and diversional activities for hospitalized children.  They can provide information about your child’s growth and development and assist with adjustment to the hospital environment.

Cholangtitis – An inflammation of the bile ducts that often occurs post-transplant.

Cholestasis – Retention and accumulation of bile in the liver.  In biliary atresia, children acquire cholestrasis because their bile ducts are blocked.  Because of the disease, the bile ducts outside (extrahepatic) the liver do not develop; when the bile does not drain (cholestrasis), the ducts inside (intrahepatic) he liver are destroyed.

CT-Scan – (Computerized Tomography) – A test that combines an x-ray machine and a computer to measure the size of the liver.  This is one of the tests performed on a living donor candidate as well as the organ recipient.

Edema – The presence of too much fluid in the cells which results in swelling in the abdomen, feet and legs.

Electrocardiogram (EKG) – A noninvasive procedure to measure and record the heart beat.  One of several tests performed during the transplant evaluation.

Endoscopy – A procedure where a small instrument with a camera is passed down a child’s esophagus to check for small areas of bleeding in the GI tract (stomach and intestines).  The esophagus is the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach.  Food passes down this tube into the stomach.

Endotracheal Tube – A long narrow plastic tube placed through the mouth or nose into the trachea to provide an airway. The trachea is the tube that connects the mouth/nose to the lungs.  Children who are intubated are unable to speak or cry.

Jaundice – A condition characterized by the yellow staining of the skin and eyes due to excess bile salts.

Live biopsy – A test in which a small sample of live tissue is removed with a special needle inserted through the abdominal wall into the liver.  A biopsy is performed to confirm rejection or an infection such as hepatitis.

MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) – A special scanning device used to provide detailed pictures of the body without x-rays, dyes or injections.

Portal hypertension – Increased pressure in the portal vein that results from obstructed blood flow through the liver.

Seronegative/seropositive – A seronegative patient is negative on a blood test for a specific virus (i.e., CMV or EBV).  A seropositive patient is positive for a specific virus.  A positive indicates the person has had the virus in the past or currently has the virus.

TPN (Total Parenteral Nutrition) – intervenous nutrition that provides proteins, vitamins, electrolytes and fats.

Ultrasound – Use of high frequency sound waves to create an image of the internal organs.

Ventilator – A machine that is used to help your child breathe until he is awake and able to breathe on his own.