Pediatric Heart Transplants
A pediatric heart transplant is a life-saving surgery in which a healthy donor heart replaces a failing heart.
Your Michigan Answer for Pediatric Heart Transplants
Finding out your child needs a heart transplant can be overwhelming and emotional. At C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, we are here to provide answers, expert care, and compassionate support throughout your journey.
A heart transplant is necessary when a child’s heart is too weak, damaged or abnormal to pump blood, even with other treatments. This surgery replaces a failed or damaged heart with a healthy donor heart, giving children the chance to thrive. Conditions like congenital heart defects (problems with the heart’s structure present at birth), infections, weakened heart muscles (cardiomyopathy) or severe heart failure can require a heart transplant.
Heart failure in children makes it hard for the body to get the oxygen and nutrients it needs. When the heart doesn’t work correctly, children may feel tired, have trouble breathing, or struggle to gain weight. Along with heart transplants, treatments and pre-transplant therapies include ventricular assist devices (VADs). These mechanical pumps help the heart pump blood until a transplant becomes available, the heart is fully recovered, or as a long-term solution, to help children live healthier lives.
C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital is home to one of the nation’s most advanced Pediatric Heart Transplant Programs. Our nationally-ranked team is known for exceptional outcomes, cutting-edge procedures, and guiding families through every step of care. We use the newest and most successful techniques, from pre-transplant evaluation to lifelong follow-up care.
Learn about the C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital Congenital Heart Center
Your child’s care is personalized by a team of pediatric cardiologists, transplant surgeons, nutritionists, psychologists, and social workers working together with your family. At C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital, the transplant process doesn’t end with surgery.
We provide ongoing care to monitor your child’s recovery, prevent organ rejection and support their return to daily life. As your child grows, our dedicated team offers a smooth transition to adult heart transplant care through U-M Health.
