Psychological Foundations of Pediatric Liver Transplantation

Liver transplantation (LTX) is an established therapy for pediatric patients with liver failure. In recent decades, survival rates have risen continuously. With increased life expectancy, there has been greater attention to children's and adolescents' quality of life following transplantation. This article provides an overview of the tasks of pediatric transplant psychology. We summarize the reviewed literature of research on health-related quality of life in pediatric liver transplant recipients. Furthermore, we present studies on fatigue, mental health, cognitive development and family strain. In adolescents and young adults, the risk of non-adherence is particularly high. Therefore, adherence and transition, i.e. transfer from pediatric to adult-centered transplant care, are discussed separately. Subsequently, studies on long-term survival after LTX are summarized. In conclusion, recommendations for clinical practice are given.