There are many fantastic pediatric liver transplant programs across the country and internationally helping young patients thrive. 

But what sets top-performing programs apart? We'll look at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles (CHLA) and Children’s Hospital Colorado (Children’s Colorado) as just two examples, as both achieved record-breaking transplant volumes and survival rates in 2024. While they’re not the only high-performing centers, their approaches highlight what’s working well in pediatric liver transplantation today.

Here are four key factors top programs have in common.

1. High Volume and Deep Experience

Top transplant centers perform lots of procedures.

CHLA performed 29 pediatric liver transplants in 2024 alone and has been building its program since 1998. CHLA also leads the nation in both one- and three-year survival rates for pediatric liver transplants, achieving a 100% survival rate for both, according to a recent press release. 

Similarly, Children’s Hospital Colorado (Children’s Colorado) hit a record-breaking 22 pediatric liver transplants in 2024, the highest in its program’s history. 

Higher volume typically translates into more experience and refined care protocols, allowing the institution to take on more complex cases.

2. Strong Living Donor Programs

Programs with established living donor pathways often shorten wait times and improve patient outcomes. At CHLA, nearly one-third of liver transplants come from living donors. At Children’s Colorado, that number is even higher: 40% of pediatric liver transplants in 2024 were from living donors.

With partnerships across systems and a willingness to use both directed and non-directed living donors, these programs are making transplants possible faster for children who can’t afford to wait, with shorter wait times than the average.

3. Multidisciplinary, Team-Based Care 

Coordinated efforts create the best outcomes. Surgeons, hepatologists, transplant nurses, anesthesiologists, and other specialists work together in a seamless care model. 

Children’s Colorado, for instance, credits its success to the collaboration between its pediatric team and adult transplant specialists at the University of Colorado, as well as the integration of advanced techniques like intraoperative dialysis and plasmapheresis for small children.

4. Commitment to Innovation, Research and Technology 

Top programs don’t stand still. They invest in research, trial new techniques and adopt leading technologies.

In fact, some of Transonic’s most impactful pediatric innovations were born from collaboration with medical and surgical leaders in the field. Our pediatric-sized flowprobes were originally developed at the request of Boston Children’s Hospital, who needed smaller tools for delicate procedures involving children and babies.  

Years later, we continue to offer these specialized probes because we’re committed to meeting this critical need and contributing to life-saving care for all patients, especially the smallest ones.

Learn more about the ways Transonic technology supports pediatric programs.