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Background: Adult kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) fully vaccinated against COVID‐19 have substantial morbidity and mortality related to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection compared with the general population. However, little is known regarding the safety and efficacy of the COVID‐19 vaccination series in pediatric KTRs. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective observational study was performed across nine pediatric transplantation centers. Eligible KTRs fully vaccinated against COVID‐19 were enrolled and data were collected pertaining to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection incidence and severity, graft outcomes and post‐vaccination safety profile, as well as overall patient survival. Results: A total of 247 patients were included in this investigation with a median age at transplantation of 11 years (IQR 5–15). SARS‐CoV‐2 infection was observed in 30/110 (27.27%) of fully vaccinated patients, tested post‐transplant, within the defined follow‐up period. Of these patients, 6/30 (18.18%) required hospitalization and 3/30 (12.12%) required reduction in immunosuppression, with no reported deaths. De novo donor‐specific antibodies (DSAs) were found in 8/86 (9.30%) of DSA‐tested patients with two experiencing rejection and subsequent graft loss. The overall incidence of rejection and graft loss among the total cohort was 11/247 (4.45%) and 6/247 (3.64%), respectively. A 100% patient survival was observed. Conclusions: Observationally, infectious outcomes of SARS‐CoV‐2 in fully vaccinated pediatric KTRs are excellent, with a low incidence of infection requiring hospitalization and no associated deaths. Though de novo DSAs were observed, there was minimal graft rejection and graft loss reported in the total cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Mycophenolate Mofetil (MMF) is an effective immunosuppressant used in kidney transplant recipients to prevent acute rejection. Complications such as diarrhea, leukopenia, and infections may necessitate the reduction or discontinuation of MMF. The objective of the study was to investigate the prevalence, timing, and reasons for MMF discontinuation and its association with outcomes in pediatric kidney transplant recipients. Methods: Seven Pediatric Nephrology Research Consortium (PNRC) centers participated in a retrospective analysis of kidney transplant recipients <21 years of age. Characteristics and outcomes of patients in whom MMF was discontinued were compared to those who continued taking MMF throughout the first 2 years post‐transplant. Results: The study population included 288 participants (mean age 11.2 years) from 7 North American transplant centers. MMF was discontinued in 93/288 (32%) of participants. Common reasons for discontinuation included infections (35%), diarrhea (32%), leukopenia (15%), and others (18%). Increased cumulative alloimmunity (55% vs. 42%, p =.02), increased number of hospitalizations (82% vs. 67%, p =.01), and viral replications (79% vs. 47%, p <.0001) were observed in the MMF discontinuation group compared to the continuation group. Greater eGFR decline also occurred in the MMF discontinuation group over 2 years of follow‐up (−7 vs. −1 mL/min/1.73 m2, p =.05). Conclusions: Almost a third of pediatric kidney transplant recipients who begin MMF for maintenance immunosuppression have it discontinued within the first 2 years post‐transplant, and this subset of patients is more likely to experience adverse outcomes. New strategies are needed to manage MMF therapy and improve post‐transplant outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]