Decreased access to pediatric liver transplantation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected all aspects of the US healthcare system, including liver transplantation. The objective of this study was to understand national changes to pediatric liver transplantation during COVID-19.

Methods

Using SRTR data, we compared waitlist additions, removals, and liver transplantations for pre-COVID-19 (March-November 2016-2019), early COVID-19 (March-May 2020), and late COVID-19 (June-November 2020).

Results

Waitlist additions decreased by 25% during early COVID-19 (41.3/month vs. 55.4/month, p < .001) with black candidates most affected (p = .04). Children spent longer on the waitlist during early COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19 (140 vs. 96 days, p < .001). There was a 38% decrease in liver transplantations during early CO

SUBMITTER: Kemme S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8646490 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature