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Case Report

Nutrition profile of a liver transplant recipient

Neha Bakshi, Kalyani Singh

Department of Foods and Nutrition, Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi, New Delhi 110001, India.

ABSTRACT
Malnutrition is almost universally present in patients undergoing liver transplantation. In this report, a male adult patient was
followed from his pre-liver transplant phase until chronic post-transplant phase (3 months after the transplant). Improvement
in nutrition status, quality of life, and performance status was seen from the pre-transplant to chronic post-transplant phase.
Day to day nutrition monitoring and gradual increase in calorie and protein intake was seen in the acute post-transplant phase,
but during pre- and chronic post-transplant phase, lack of nutrition support was observed in the patient.

Key words: Liver transplant; malnutrition; nutrition profile

Address for correspondence:
Ms. Neha Bakshi, Department of Foods and Nutrition, Lady Irwin College, University of Delhi, Sikandra Road, Mandi House, New Delhi 110001, India.
E-mail: nehabakshi.9@gmail.com
Received: 21-06-2015, Accepted: 19-10-2015

INTRODUCTION ethanol and hepatitis C virus-related chronic liver
disease underwent living donor LT (Child-Turcotte-Pugh
Liver transplantation (LT) is the only treatment for score = 8, Model for ESLD score = 14). Medical
[5]
[6]
[1]
the end-stage liver disease (ESLD). It is estimated history showed the patient suffered from jaundice (for
that malnutrition occurs in 65-100% of patients with 2 years), ascites (for 3 months) and excessive fatigue (for
ESLD. [2,3] Medical nutrition therapy provided by a 15 days). The patient was admitted 12 days before LT.
registered dietician is necessary during all phases of Biochemical parameters before LT depicted deranged
LT for improved surgical outcomes. [4]
results [Table 1].
CASE REPORT
Nutrition status assessment by anthropometry depicted
Nutrition therapy for LT is divided into three phases: mild malnutrition by mid-arm muscle circumference
(1) pre-transplant - provision of adequate nutrients (MAMC) and severe malnutrition by triceps
[7]
without aggravating ESLD symptoms; (2) acute post- measurement. Subjective global assessment (SGA)
transplant - high protein feeds through various routes showed moderate malnutrition. Hand grip strength
[8]
to achieve adequate intakes; and (3) chronic post- (both hands) showed severe malnutrition. [9]
transplant - aggressive nutrition therapy for improved
survival. [4] Body composition analysis depicted standard physique
of the patient with normal levels of fat percentage, fat-
Pre-transplant phase free mass (FFM), and muscle mass [Table 2]. [10]
A 54-year-old Indian male patient diagnosed with

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DOI:
10.4103/2394-5079.168958 How to cite this article: Bakshi N, Singh K. Nutrition profile of a liver
transplant recipient. Hepatoma Res 2016;2:98-102.

98 © 2016 Hepatoma Research | Published by OAE Publishing Inc.