Introduction

A liver biopsy is a test to check if your child has liver disease or damage. It also helps find the cause of the problem.

A biopsy means taking a small piece of tissue from the body to test it. A specialist doctor, called a pathologist, checks the sample.

Your child’s treatment team will explain:

• when and where to come for the procedure
• if and when your child needs to stop eating or drinking
• if any blood tests are needed before the procedure.

An ultrasound may be used to mark where the biopsy will be done.

Your child will be given anaesthetic before the procedure to stop pain and make them sleepy. The doctor will tell you which type of anaesthetic will be used.

Generally, in a liver biopsy:

1. a small tube called an intravenous (IV) cannula is placed in your child’s arm
2. anaesthetic is given through the IV cannula
3. a small cut is made on the upper right side of your child’s belly
4. a special needle is inserted through the cut and used to take a small piece of liver
5. the sample is sent to a lab for testing
6. your child will then slowly wake up from the procedure.

After the biopsy, your child will wake up in the recovery area. A sandbag or pressure bandage will be placed on the site to help stop bleeding.

Your child will need to lie on their right side for up to 6 hours, or until their treatment team says they can safely move.

Most children stay in hospital overnight to make sure they recover well. If there are no problems, they can usually go home the next morning.

The dressing must stay in place for 24 hours. Let the nurse or doctor know if you have questions.