COVID-19 in pediatric lung transplant recipients: Clinical course and outcome.
J Heart Lung Transplant
; 42(4): 533-538, 2023 04.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2280275
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
COVID-19 causes high morbidity and mortality in adult lung transplant (LTX) recipients. Data on COVID-19 in children after LTX is limited. We report the clinical presentation and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in 19 pediatric LTX recipients.METHODS:
Between March 2020 and June 2022, SARS-CoV-2 testing was performed on all pediatric LTX patients with COVID-19 symptoms or contact with a SARS-CoV-2 infected person. Positive patients were prospectively evaluated for symptoms, treatment and outcome. Vaccination status and immune response were recorded.RESULTS:
Nineteen out of 51 pediatric LTX recipients had a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Mean age was 12.3 years (IQR 9-17), 68% were female, 84% had preexisting comorbidities. Mean time between LTX and SARS-CoV-2 infection was 4.8 years (IQR 2-6). No patients experienced severe COVID-19 11% were asymptomatic, and 89% had mild symptoms, primarily rhinitis (74%), fever (47%), and cough (37%). One SARS-CoV-2 positive patient was hospitalized due to combined fungal and bacterial infection. Mean duration of symptoms was 10.5 days (IQR 3-16), whereas mean period of positivity by antigen test was 21 days (IQR 9-27, p = 0.013). Preventive antiviral therapy was initiated in 3 patients. After a mean follow-up of 2.5 months (IQR 1.1-2.4), no patient reported persistent complaints related to COVID-19. Lung function tests remained stable.CONCLUSIONS:
Unlike adult LTX recipients, children and adolescents are at low risk for severe COVID-19, even with risk factors beyond immunosuppression. Our findings cast doubt on the necessity of excessive isolation for these patients and should reassure clinicians and caregivers of LTX patients.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Lung Transplantation
/
SARS-CoV-2
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Cohort study
/
Diagnostic study
/
Experimental Studies
/
Prognostic study
Topics:
Long Covid
/
Vaccines
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Language:
English
Journal:
J Heart Lung Transplant
Journal subject:
Cardiology
/
Transplantation
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.healun.2022.11.006
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