Immediately after transplantation

Even during the operation we begin the necessary immunosuppressive therapy. This weakens the patients’ immune defences in order to avoid a rejection reaction. However, this makes the patients more susceptible to infection so that the children are nursed in a room of their own after the transplantation, without contact with other patients.

In the early phase, a low-germ diet is also ensured. The children should initially be visited only by their closest attachment persons. All visitors must always clean and disinfect their hands, which is routine in any intensive care unit. After about a week, the children usually move to the ordinary ward.

Throughout the hospitalisation period, we attach great importance to involving the parents. During this time, they find out everything they will have to know about looking after their child at home: the need for avoiding germs, the dosage and regular use of the medications and other important rules that must be followed.

Whenever possible, following the inpatient period we recommend a rehabilitation period in a suitable clinic that is familiar with the care of transplant patients.