Paediatric Liver Transplantation During COVID-19 Pandemic: Lessons Learned and Unanswered Questions

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic has imposed many challenges on paediatric liver transplantation (PLT) services and has necessitated several adaptations in different stages of the process to ensure transplant centres can still deliver the proposed services in addition to protecting patients and staff against infection. This review article digs through the current literature to clarify the challenges imposed by SARS-CoV2 on PLT centres globally. It provides an overview of current practice as well as suggestions from experts in the field to overcome multiple obstacles. In paediatrics, the reaction to SARS-CoV2 may be less severe than that seen in the adult population, but this can change in view of newly discovered virus strains. Response of transplant centres to the current pandemic was variable depending on the anticipated risk and available resources. Telemedicine has helped PLT programmes to continue their activities while protecting patients, as well as staff against the risk of SARS-CoV2 virus. Further studies are needed to guide immunosuppression management in post-transplant infected candidates; answering this critical question will help PLT centres solve this dilemma.