A five-month-old baby became the UAE’s youngest liver transplant patient, thanks to his aunt’s heroic living organ donation.
ABU DHABI: On World Organ Donation Day, one UAE family is celebrating more than just awareness — they are celebrating a second chance at life. Five-month-old Ahmed Yahya, weighing just 4.4 kilograms, has become the youngest patient in the country to receive a liver transplant, thanks to a selfless donation from his aunt and the expertise of Burjeel Medical City (BMC).
Ahmed was born with a rare genetic disorder — ATP6AP1-related congenital disorder of glycosylation — with fewer than 25 cases recorded worldwide. The condition was rapidly damaging his liver and other vital systems. With time running out, doctors recommended an urgent living donor transplant. His aunt, the wife of his father’s brother, volunteered and turned out to be a perfect match.
The intricate surgery on April 4, 2025, lasted 12 hours and required a mono-segment graft, crafted to fit the baby’s tiny anatomy. “Every vessel was thinner than a matchstick, and the margin for error was zero,” said Dr. Gourab Sen, Director of Transplant Surgery at BMC. “It was micromillimeter craftsmanship under extreme pressure.”
Despite the high stakes, the operation was a success. Ahmed was extubated soon after, started feeding within days, and showed strong liver function. His recovery was supported by a full team of specialists, from pediatric anesthetists to rehabilitation experts.
For Ahmed’s parents, this was a life-changing moment. “When we lost our first son to liver disease, we thought history was repeating itself,” said his father, Yahya. “But my sister-in-law gave us hope — and life.”
Ahmed is now steadily growing, with ongoing monitoring of his liver function and development. His story stands as a testament to the power of living organ donation. The HAYAT National Program continues to encourage families to consider this life-saving gift, which can dramatically shorten wait times and change lives forever.
