Publication date: Jun 05, 2025

During the COVID-19 pandemic, adenoviral vaccines drew attention due to a potential life-threatening coagulation disorder, the vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). Patients deceased of VITT have been accepted as organ donors despite safety concerns regarding the transmission of VITT to recipients. The outcome of adult kidney graft recipients was reported favorable in most cases, however, (thrombotic) complications were observed more frequently. We present two pediatric recipients of kidney grafts from VITT-deceased patients. Both donors (38 and 34 years old, male, body mass index each 23 kg/m) experienced VITT-related symptoms 22 and 12 days after first dose of Vaxrevia(R) and Vaccine Janssen(R), respectively. Neither had a prior history of other prothrombotic conditions (e. g., history of smoking, arterial hypertension, or prior thrombosis). The graft function was excellent for up to 36 months in the recipient in Case 1 (14-year-old girl, hemodialysis, kidney failure caused by methylmalonic acidemia). However, the recipient in Case 2 (4-year-old boy, peritoneal dialysis, kidney failure caused by abnormal urethral valves) experienced immediate and recurrent renal vein thrombosis. Histopathology of the explanted organ revealed extended platelet-enriched thrombus formation. VITT-causing antibodies against platelet factor 4 were detected in the organ perfusate of both allografts during cold storage with significantly higher concentrations in the latter patient. Our findings emphasize the need for careful evaluation of donor organs from VITT-deceased patients especially in high-risk patients, such as young children.

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