Liver Transplant in a Recently COVID‐19 Positive Child with Hepatoblastoma

Goss, Matthew B.; Munoz, Flor M.; Ruan, Wenly; Galván, N. Thao N.; O’Mahony, Christine A.; Rana, Abbas; Cotton, Ronald T.; Moreno, Nicolas F.; Heczey, Andras A.; Leung, Daniel H.; Goss, John A.

BACKGROUND: We describe the successful pediatric liver transplant for unresectable hepatoblastoma in a 4‐year‐old male with COVID‐19 prior to transplant. The first negative nasopharyngeal (NP) swab was documented one month after initial diagnosis, when SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies were also detected. The patient was actively listed for liver transplant after completing four blocks of a SIOPEL‐4 based regimen due to his PRETEXT IV disease which remained unresectable. Following three additional negative NP swabs and resolution of symptoms for four weeks, he underwent a whole‐organ pediatric liver transplant. METHODS: COVID‐19 positivity determined via NP swab SARS‐CoV‐2 real‐time RT‐PCR (Hologic Aptima SARS‐CoV‐2 RT‐PCR assay). IgG and IgM total SARS‐ CoV‐2 antibodies detected by Ortho Clinical Diagnostics VITROS® Immunodiagnostics Products Anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 Test. RESULTS: Patient received standard prednisone and tacrolimus‐based immunosuppression without induction therapy following transplant. Post‐transplant course was remarkable for neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, with discharge home on post‐transplant day #11. Surveillance tests have remained negative with persistent SARS‐CoV‐2 IgG antibodies at six weeks after transplant. CONCLUSIONS: We describe one of the earliest, if not the first case of liver transplant following recent recovery from COVID‐19 in a pediatric patient with a lethal malignant liver tumor. A better understanding of how to balance the risk profile of transplant in the setting of COVID‐19 with disease progression if transplant is not performed is needed. We followed existing ASTS guidelines to document clearance of the viral infection and resolution of symptoms before transplant. This case highlights that pediatric liver transplantation can be safely performed upon clearance of COVID‐19.