Gurgaon: A four-year-old boy, whose mental and physical growth was stunted by a rare metabolic genetic disorder, was successfully treated with a complex liver transplant procedure, doctors treating the boy in Gurgaon said on Sunday.
Rishi suffered from citrullinemia, a condition seen in one of about 60,000 children across the globe, characterised by a deficiency of enzyme ASS1 in the liver, which metabolises protein.
"The child was unable to metabolise proteins ingested in the daily diet. Rishi suffered from mental slowness, recurrent vomiting, poor feeding and chest and intestinal infections. For four years, the child survived on a low protein diet with medicines and imported essential amino acids formulae which cost Rs.30, 000 per month," A.S. Soin, chief surgeon at the Medanta Liver Institute in Gurgaon said.
According to doctors, Rishi's father Shirish donated a portion of his liver to save his son and a liver transplant was performed.
"After the transplant, the child is now on a normal diet and mentally sharper than before. For the first time in his life, after transplant, he drank milk and ate a chocolate", said Neelam Mohan, director, paediatric hepatology.
Doctors say a liver transplant cannot be performed in all cases of citrullinemia - the treatment through transplant is only possible if the deficiency because of the condition is mild.
"In Rishi's case, the damage to the brain was limited. For four years, the boy's parents have kept him on a low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet like rice, potato and vegetables, and specially imported powders, which kept the deficiency moderate," Soin said.
He also added that there was no drug therapy which could be used for this disorder.
"Patients have to be kept on special diets that are not available in India. While liver transplant is curative, it is rarely possible as patients become very ill with their disease, and their ability to withstand surgery and reverse their condition often remains in doubt," Soin said.
Rishi suffered from citrullinemia, a condition seen in one of about 60,000 children across the globe, characterised by a deficiency of enzyme ASS1 in the liver, which metabolises protein.
"The child was unable to metabolise proteins ingested in the daily diet. Rishi suffered from mental slowness, recurrent vomiting, poor feeding and chest and intestinal infections. For four years, the child survived on a low protein diet with medicines and imported essential amino acids formulae which cost Rs.30, 000 per month," A.S. Soin, chief surgeon at the Medanta Liver Institute in Gurgaon said.
"After the transplant, the child is now on a normal diet and mentally sharper than before. For the first time in his life, after transplant, he drank milk and ate a chocolate", said Neelam Mohan, director, paediatric hepatology.
Advertisement
"In Rishi's case, the damage to the brain was limited. For four years, the boy's parents have kept him on a low-protein, high-carbohydrate diet like rice, potato and vegetables, and specially imported powders, which kept the deficiency moderate," Soin said.
Advertisement
"Patients have to be kept on special diets that are not available in India. While liver transplant is curative, it is rarely possible as patients become very ill with their disease, and their ability to withstand surgery and reverse their condition often remains in doubt," Soin said.
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Cannabis Worth Crores Recovered From Empty House In Gurugram: Police "For Rs 20,000...'': Gurgaon Techie Turns Tables On Scammer, Leaves Internet In Splits Man Kills Friend With Cricket Bat After Argument During Party In Gurugram 150 mg Semen In Kolkata Doctor's Body, Suspect Gang-Rape: Parents To Court Trump, Musk Groove To Bee Gees' 'Stayin' Alive' In AI-Video Now Viral "Want To Ask Congress...": Mamata Banerjee Snaps At Ally In Rape-Murder Case US Judge Says "Monopolist" Google Can't Avoid App Store Reforms NASA To Decide Stranded Starliner Astronauts' Route Home By End Of Month Mob Vandalises Hospital During Protest Over Kolkata Horror Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.