Anxiety of families whose infant children had liver transplantation after discharge

Abstract

 Semi-structured interviews were conducted with five family members to elucidate the anxiety felt when their young child was discharged from the hospital after a liver transplant. Results were analyzed using qualitative descriptive research methods. Since the children were infants and toddlers, we recognized the responsibility of their families to take the lead in health management. The families revealed they were worried about infectious diseases and physical symptoms in the absence of a medical professional, taking charge of immunosuppressive therapy, being in charge of medical care, and delayed growth and development due to liver damage compared to healthy children. Additionally, families experienced anxiety about the impact on the siblings due to the extensive period of time the children were separated. As the child recovered from the liver transplant and settled down to live a life of recuperation at home, families began to look toward the future, and anxiety about an uncertain future arose.