Aster CMI Hospital has launched PEARL (Pediatric Emergency and Advanced Response for Liver Care), Karnataka’s first dedicated Pediatric Liver Intensive Care Unit (ICU), marking a significant advancement in specialized pediatric critical care.

The unit was inaugurated by M Maheshwar Rao, Chief Commissioner of the Greater Bengaluru Authority, in the presence of senior clinicians and hospital leadership.

Designed exclusively for children with severe and life-threatening liver conditions, PEARL introduces a focused, liver-centric model of care—moving beyond conventional ICU setups. Pediatric liver emergencies can escalate rapidly, often leading to complications such as brain swelling, infections, organ failure, and metabolic imbalances, requiring swift, highly coordinated intervention.

The unit is equipped with advanced monitoring systems and supported by a multidisciplinary team comprising pediatric hepatologists, liver transplant surgeons, intensivists, anesthetists, infectious disease specialists, and specially trained ICU nurses. This integrated approach enables rapid response, precision treatment, and continuous monitoring during critical phases.

Prof. (Dr.) N. Karthik Nagesh, Program Director – Pediatric Centre of Excellence, Aster CMI Hospital, Karnataka, said, “In pediatric liver emergencies, every minute is crucial. With PEARL, we can 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, a significant number of which 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.”