Introduction: Pediatric liver transplantation requires extensive post-operative care and caregivers play a pivotal role in the recovery and long-term outcomes of pediatric patients. The care burden as well as the preparedness for hospital discharge can influence the overall well-being of both the caregivers and the patients. The aim of this study is to explore the current status of pediatric liver transplantation caregivers’ burden and discharge preparedness and analyze their influencing factors.
Methods: In November to December 2024, we recruited a total of 382 pediatric liver transplantation caregivers from the follow-up cohort of Shanghai Renji Hospital using convenience sampling method. These caregivers met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected using general information questionnaires, the Zarit Caregiver Burden Inventory (ZBI), and the Caregiver Preparedness Scale (CPS).
Results: The scores for the caregiver ZBI and CPS were 26.86 ± 15.791 and 23.38 ± 5.555, respectively. Impact factors of caregiver burden were the number of caregivers involved in the patient’s daily care and the number of hospitalizations of the child in the past year. Education level and daily care time were factors influencing the caregivers’ discharge preparedness.


Conclusion: Pediatric liver transplantation caregivers experience a mild burden, and their discharge preparedness needs to be improved. Clinical healthcare professionals should design personalized care intervention plans based on the influencing factors to improve the quality of life of the children after liver transplantation and enhance post-transplantation survival rates.