We know that serious health conditions affect the entire family. Our support services will ease your journey. For more than 35 years, we’ve tackled the toughest pediatric liver transplant cases, and our patient outcomes are excellent. Our wait times are shorter than other programs in the region and nation.
We are an official center for the Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation, a community of health professionals who work to improve pediatric liver transplant outcomes. We are a Center of Excellence for most insurance networks and a certified living liver donor center. U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked American Family Children’s Hospital among the nation’s top children’s hospitals.
Shorter wait times
Our patients are on the waitlist for less time before having transplant surgery compared to other centers.
We have excellent patient outcomes
Our experts care for very sick kids and know how to get them — and their families — through the transplant journey. Our survival rates are excellent, and our patients thrive.
The Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients provides data about each transplant centers’ volume and outcomes. SRTR combines some data for pediatric and adult patients.
Excellence in living liver donation
For more than 20 years, our experts have served living liver donors. We are well-known experts in living liver donation and transplantation for children.
We do multi-organ transplants
Our physicians and surgeons are experienced in multi-organ transplants. They are supported by the vast resources at UW Health and work together to manage the complex care of kids who need more than one organ transplanted.
Research to advance care for kids
We’re dedicated to improving care for kids and the liver transplant process. We lead studies on new medications, technology, recovery and post-transplant care.
Learn more about pediatric research and our transplant research.
Living donor liver transplant
Living donor liver transplant happens when a person gives part of their liver to someone who needs a transplant. Within months, the remaining liver inside the donor and the new liver inside the recipient grow to their correct sizes.
Living liver donation has many benefits. These include:
Speed: If a liver is needed quickly, a living donor can be the best option.
Shorter wait time: A child can get a liver transplant before they become very ill.
Healthiest donated organs: Donors go through rigorous testing to ensure they are healthy enough to donate.
Living liver donation is either directed or non-directed. Directed donation means the donor knows the recipient. Non-directed donation means the donor’s liver is matched to someone unknown to the donor.
Learn more about living donor liver transplant
Complete this form if you are interested in being a living liver donor
Deceased donor liver transplant
Some children who need a liver transplant receive their new liver from a donor who has died. Deceased donor organs are matched against transplant waiting lists in the region and nation.
Multi-organ transplant
If your child needs to have other organs transplanted with their liver, our physicians and surgeons have the experience needed for these complex cases. We coordinate care between specialists in liver, kidney and pancreas transplantation.
All the little things
We know that transplant is a big experience for kids and their families, so we embrace every little opportunity to create smiles.
It is important that you are confident that your child is receiving the highest level of care. Our team focuses on excellent communication and will customize care to your child’s specific needs.
Your child’s team includes experts in pediatric hepatology (liver care), living liver donation and liver transplantation. As part of an academic medical center, our research and education are constantly improving care for kids experiencing transplant. We work to make sure your child will have a long and healthy life.
Evaluation
Our UW Health Kids liver transplant team will evaluate your child to determine if and when they need a liver transplant.
Your child will have lab work and tests. Our pediatric hepatologist (liver specialist) and a pediatric liver transplant surgeon will talk with you about your child’s medical history. You will also meet with a dietitian who will help with any special nutritional needs.
Our financial consultant and social workers can answer your questions. Your child’s care is coordinated through our certified pediatric transplant nurse coordinator. The nurse coordinator is your personal connection to all our services and will help you navigate this experience.
Waiting period
You will learn if your child will benefit from a liver transplant and will be placed on the national waiting list for a deceased donor transplant. The United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) operates this list. UNOS matches organs to patients based on age, blood type, weight and degree of illness.
While your family waits for a deceased or living donor, your child will have regular visits with a member of our UW Health pediatric liver transplant team. We will monitor your child’s condition, update their waitlist status, and provide support and education.
Surgery
When a liver becomes available, you will be asked to bring your child to the American Family Children’s Hospital within a few hours. The surgery will begin when the donated organ is ready to be placed. It may take up to 10 hours to complete. Most children spend 10 to 15 days in the hospital recovering from transplant surgery. While they are healing, you will learn about their medications, care needs and plans for their follow-up visits.
Follow-up care
Your child’s liver transplant will require a lifetime of care. During the first year, there will be multiple visits to American Family Children’s Hospital for bloodwork and tests. These tests are important in seeing how well the new liver is working. There will be fewer visits over time. Rest assured that we provide lifelong care, support and education to make sure your child can lead a healthy life.
American Family Children's Hospital Pediatric Liver Transplant Clinic
1675 Highland Ave /Madison, WI 
(608) 263-6420
American Family Children's Hospital
The jewel of our services for kids is our beautiful children’s hospital. Themed “All things Wisconsin,” our hospital creates a warm welcome to children and families from Wisconsin, the nation and beyond.
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National leaders in transplant care
View more information important to every transplant patient.
Transplant services