HEALTH : Child With New Liver Improves

CHICAGO —  A 21-month-old Texas girl who received part of her mother’s liver earlier this week in the nation’s first live-donor liver transplant was upgraded from critical to serious condition today, hospital officials said.

Alyssa Smith underwent a 13-hour operation Monday to receive the liver tissue from her mother, who is reported in good condition. The transplant was only the fourth of its kind ever performed in the world.

The toddler suffered internal bleeding after surgery and was returned to the operating room early Tuesday, but three days later she seemed to be improving despite the complications.

“Her liver seems to be functioning well. The doctors are very enthusiastic,” University of Chicago Hospitals spokeswoman Mary Fetsch said today. “She’s alert. She’s looking around. She’s very responsive.”