09.11.2026 10:05
Aybüke Satılmış, whose jaundice that had not passed since birth turned into liver failure, underwent a transplant at 5.5 months old and weighing 5.5 kilograms with a liver donated by her mother, Sema Satılmış. The family later learned the seriousness of the disease they initially thought was breast milk jaundice. Experts emphasized that in prolonged jaundice, attention should be paid to the baby's stool color.
Eight-month-old baby Aybüke Satılmış, who had suffered from jaundice since birth, regained her health through a liver transplant performed when she was 5.5 months old and weighed 5.5 kilograms. The operation, in which mother Sema Satılmış was the donor, was performed by Medipol Mega University Hospital Organ Transplant Specialist Prof. Dr. Murat Dayangaç and his team. Evaluating the process, Pediatric Gastroenterology Specialist Prof. Dr. Gökhan Baysoy stated that prolonged jaundice in babies must definitely be investigated and drew particular attention to changes in stool color.
HER MOTHER MADE TWO SACRIFICES
Prof. Dr. Dayangaç, describing Aybüke’s transplant process, stated that when the baby first came to them, the need for a transplant had become clear. After evaluations with the family, he noted that the mother was found suitable as a donor. “Aybüke had liver disease from birth. By the time she came to our evaluation, the time for a liver transplant had come. We attach importance to pediatric gastroenterology specialists determining the need for liver transplantation in babies. We completed our meetings and evaluations with the family. Her mother came forward as a donor, and all conditions were suitable. Without waiting any longer, without leaving Aybüke facing the risks of the disease, we performed the transplant,” he said.
Prof. Dr. Dayangaç, noting that the mother got up shortly after surgery and took on her baby’s care, said, “Taking an organ from the mother in babies is one of the most advantageous situations possible. Our donor got up shortly after the operation to care for Aybüke and took over her care. Thus, she made a sacrifice twice. We are very happy that the process went well.”
Prof. Dr. Dayangaç, stating that Turkey has significant experience in living-donor liver transplantation but that deceased organ donation also needs to be increased, said, “Finding a suitable donor from the family can be easier for babies. However, not every baby and child is this lucky. We have children who do not have a suitable donor in their family and are waiting to hold on to life through organ donation. With the experience we have gained in living-donor liver transplantation, we have the technical experience to transplant a donated liver under suitable conditions to an adult and a child or to two different recipients. We wish for more organ donation and to be able to reach more patients with this experience.”
ATTENTION TO STOOL COLOR IN JAUNDICE
Prof. Dr. Baysoy, noting that Aybüke had a complaint of jaundice at her first visit, said that prolonged jaundice in babies must definitely be investigated. Emphasizing that jaundice can be a sign of some important liver diseases, Prof. Dr. Baysoy made important warnings: “Although pathological jaundice is rare in small babies, it can occur as a result of important diseases. Some of these diseases need to be recognized and treated in the neonatal period or within the first few months. Despite follow-up and supportive treatment, we detected a serious increase in jaundice values and deterioration in liver functions, especially about one month before the transplant. Assessing that liver failure was progressing, we began transplant preparations.”
Drawing attention to the fact that families should especially monitor their babies’ stool color, Prof. Dr. Baysoy said, “In babies with jaundice, stool color is an important finding. Very light-colored, gray, or putty-colored stools are not normal. When such a situation is noticed in newborns or babies a few months old, a doctor must definitely be consulted at an early stage. Because there are diseases that require early diagnosis and treatment.”
THEY THOUGHT IT WAS BREAST MILK JAUNDICE
Mother Sema Satılmış, explaining that baby Aybüke had experienced jaundice from birth and that at first they thought it was breast milk jaundice, said that during the process they had hospital stays and periods in intensive care. Mother Satılmış said, “She had jaundice that did not go away from the day she was born. At first we thought it was breast milk jaundice, but that was not the case. We learned that Aybüke’s liver had not developed. Our checkups continued, and after a certain stage, a transplant decision was made. Aybüke had the transplant when she was 5.5 months old. Thank God, she recovered in a short time. She regained her health with medication treatments and checkups.”
Father Furkan Satılmış, stating that his daughter’s mother being the donor during her transplant process was a great hope for them, said that they had concerns before the surgery but overcame them with the doctors’ reassuring approach. Satılmış said, “We knew nothing about organ transplantation. Thank God, the process went well.”