From the context of organ donation, COVID-19 vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT) is important as there is an ethical dilemma in utilizing versus discarding organs from potential donors succumbing to VITT. This consensus statement is an attempt by the National Organ and Tissue Transplant Organization (NOTTO) apex technical committees, India, to formulate the guidelines for deceased organ donation and transplantation in relation to VITT to help in appropriate decision-making. VITT is a rare entity, but a meticulous approach should be taken by the organ procurement organization's (OPO) team in screening such cases. All such cases must be strictly notified to the national authorities (NOTTO) as a resource for data collection and ensuring compliance with protocols in the management of adverse events following immunization. Organs from any patient who developed thrombotic events up to 4 weeks after adenoviral vector-based vaccination should be considered to be linked to VITT and investigated appropriately. The viability of the organs must be thoroughly checked by the OPO, and the final decision in relation to organ use should be decided by the expert committee of the OPO team consisting of a virologist, a hematologist, and a treating team. Considering the organ shortage, in case of suspected/confirmed VITT, both clinicians and patients should consider the risk[FIGURE DASH]benefit equation based on limited experience. An appropriate written informed consent of potential recipients and family members should be obtained before the transplantation of organs from suspected or proven VITT donors.
There is a huge gap between organ donation and the current demand for organ transplantation. With a very low donation rate of 0.26 per million in India, a high number of patients die due to lack of organ transplantation. Strategies such as increasing organ donation from the paediatric population can improve the void in the national donor pool. Increasing awareness among the general population, propitious support for families during the donation process, more dedicated clinical staff, development of better screening and assessment processes are some multifaceted methods to improve organ donation. We herein report a case of an 18-month-old girl child who donated her heart, liver, kidneys and cornea to five patients following her demise. This case emphasises that with advanced surgical techniques and meticulous organ procurement even from a very young donor, results can be rewarding.
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