Hazel: Liver Transplant

When Hazel was born she seemed perfectly healthy, but within minutes her health started to decline. She was diagnosed with biliary atresia, which means her bile ducts failed to form, preventing the release of bile from the liver, which, if not corrected, can lead to cirrhosis and liver failure.

Surgery for Hazel at her local hospital was not successful, which led Hazel and her family to Nemours Children's for a liver transplant. After meeting Drs. Jeffrey Malatack and Stephen Dunn, Hazel was added to the transplant list at 7 and a half months old. Hazel's mom, Jessica, was a match and was able to donate part of her liver to Hazel.

Hazel is reaching all developmental milestones. She loves to ride bikes, swim, run, climb, swing and follow her older brother everywhere.