Rare liver transplant at Osmania saves toddler with glycogen storage disease
HYDERABAD: Doctors at Osmania General Hospital have performed a rare living donor liver transplant on a one-year-10-month-old child diagnosed with Glycogen Storage Disease (GSD) Type III, a metabolic disorder that can lead to severe complications if untreated.
The child, Master Mohmed Afan, underwent the procedure on April 28, 2026, at the hospital’s Department of Surgical Gastroenterology. The surgery lasted about 14 hours and involved transplanting a portion of the father’s liver to replace the child’s enzyme-deficient liver.
Child showed recurrent hypoglycaemia and liver enlargement
Doctors said the child was admitted with symptoms such as excessive hunger, abdominal swelling and early morning drowsiness that improved after feeding. He also showed fatigue during play.
Investigations revealed recurrent hypoglycaemia (below 50 mg/dl), high triglycerides (786) and elevated cholesterol (1,200), along with abnormal liver function and enlargement. A liver biopsy and genetic tests confirmed GSD Type III, also known as Cori/Forbes disease.
Doctors said the disorder occurs due to the absence of an enzyme needed to break down glycogen into glucose, leading to accumulation in the liver and muscles. This can result in progressive liver damage and complications affecting the brain, heart and skeletal muscles.
Surgery replaces defective liver with healthy donor graft
The transplant involved using a 240-gram liver graft donated by the child’s father. The procedure was led by Prof. C.H. Madhusudhan, head of the department.
Doctors said liver transplantation can correct the primary enzyme defect in selected cases and prevent recurrent metabolic crises. Alternative enzyme replacement therapy costs about ₹50 lakh per year and requires lifelong treatment.
The procedure was performed free under the Aarogyasri scheme, as the child’s family, residents of Udamgadda, Hyderabad, reported financial constraints. The father works as a daily wage labourer in event decoration.
Child recovering well after transplant, no fresh episodes
The hospital said the child is recovering well after the surgery, with no further hypoglycaemic episodes reported so far.
Doctors highlighted that similar procedures in the private sector cost ₹50–60 lakh. They said the case marks the first reported liver transplant for Glycogen Storage Disease in government sector hospitals in India.
The team also noted the complexity of managing such cases in young children, given anaesthesia and metabolic challenges during long-duration surgery.
The hospital acknowledged support from the Telangana government and senior health officials for enabling advanced procedures in public hospitals.
