Your child had a liver biopsy. They were given anesthesia medicine for the procedure so they could sleep through it and not feel pain. During the biopsy, the surgeon took a small amount of the liver tissue. A pathologist (a doctor who specializes in diagnosing diseases by examining tissues, cells, and bodily fluids) will look at the liver tissue under a microscope to get more information about your child's liver.

Your child may feel a little tired for a few hours while the anesthesia wears off. They may have pain in the area where the tissue was removed or in the shoulder (from irritation of a nerve during the procedure) for a few days.

Here's how to care for your child as they recover.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions for:

• Giving acetaminophen (Tylenol® or a store brand) for pain. Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often.
• Any medicines to avoid, such as ibuprofen, which can make bleeding more likely.
• When your child can shower, take a bath, and go swimming.
• When your child can return to school.
• Any activities your child should avoid, such as heavy lifting, jumping, and sports.
• When you should schedule a follow-up appointment for your child.

Your child:

• Develops pain at the biopsy site or in the shoulder that does not get better with acetaminophen
• Has redness, swelling, pus, or bruising of the biopsy site
• Has bleeding from the biopsy site
• Has nausea, vomiting, or belly pain
• Passes stool (poop) that is black or bloody
• Has a fever

Your child:

• Has severe belly pain
• Has trouble breathing
• Feels dizzy
• Looks pale

You know your child best. If your child has symptoms that worry you or seems very sick, call your healthcare provider or take your child to the ER.

Why is a liver biopsy done? A liver biopsy can help healthcare providers:

• Get more information about the liver when someone has abnormal blood tests, a large liver, or jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
• Check for certain inherited (genetic) disorders
• See how a treatment is working