Pediatric Emergency and Advanced Response Liver Care for children
In a significant step toward transforming pediatric critical care, Aster CMI
Hospital announced the launch of PEARL (Pediatric Emergency and Advanced Response for Liver Care)
Karnataka’s first dedicated Pediatric Liver Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This specialized unit has been
purpose built to exclusively manage children with severe and life threatening liver conditions, bringing a
new level of focused, timely, and highly specialized care to pediatric healthcare. The unit was
inaugurated by M Maheshwar Rao (IAS), Chief Commissioner, GBA, Karnataka, in the presence of
senior leadership and clinical experts from Aster Hospitals.

The launch of PEARL marks a paradigm shift in pediatric healthcare, moving beyond generalized ICU care
to a focused liver centric model tailored specifically for children. Pediatric liver emergencies often
escalate rapidly, leading to complications such as brain swelling, infections, organ failure, and metabolic
disturbances. Addressing these complexities requires coordinated, specialist-led approach centered on
liver health. Equipped with advanced monitoring systems and supported by a multidisciplinary team of
pediatric hepatologists, liver transplant surgeons, intensivists, anesthetists, infectious disease specialists,
and specially trained liver ICU nurses, PEARL enables rapid response, precision care, and continuous
monitoring during critical moments.

Speaking on the launch, Prof. (Dr.) N. Karthik Nagesh, Program Director  Pediatric Centre’s of
Excellence, Aster CMI Hospital, Karnataka, said, “In pediatric liver emergencies, every minute is crucial.
With PEARL, we are able to initiate early, targeted interventions and provide continuous, liver focused
critical care tailored specifically for children. This approach significantly improves clinical outcomes and,
in some cases, supports recovery without the need for liver transplantation”.

Dr Sonal Asthana, Program Director, Hepatobiliary Surgery and Multiorgan Transplantation, Aster CMI
Hospital, Karnataka, said, “The Aster Integrated Liver Care Team is Karnataka’s largest liver care and
transplant provider, treating more than 7000 patients with liver disease annually. The ILC performs more
than 100 liver transplantation procedures in Bangalore annually, of which a significant number are for
Pediatric liver failure. Many children from non-affordable families are offered lifesaving transplants
under an innovative affordable liver transplant program. The launch of a dedicated Pediatric liver ICU
highlights our commitment to providing world class interdisciplinary care for these very sick children”.

Dr. Prashanth N, CEO  Aster Hospitals, Karnataka, added, “The launch of PEARL reflects our
commitment to redefining pediatric critical care. By establishing a dedicated liver ICU backed by expert
multidisciplinary teams, we are strengthening our ability to deliver timely, specialized, and
comprehensive care for critically ill children, while setting new benchmarks in pediatric healthcare”.

Unlike conventional ICUs, PEARL is structured entirely around the unique needs of children with liver
failure, ensuring that every aspect of care from monitoring and medication to intervention protocols is
precisely aligned. This focused approach enables early detection, faster intervention, and improved
recovery outcomes, which may avoid the requirement for transplantation in some children. The unit
also emphasizes family-centered care, offering clear communication, emotional support, and guidance
to families during critical times.

With the launch of PEARL, Aster CMI Hospital is reshaping the pediatric healthcare landscape by
introducing a dedicated, highly specialized liver care ecosystem combining clinical expertise, advanced
technology, and compassionate care to improve outcomes for children across the region.