Learn more about this investigational treatment
In addition to donated plasma supporting patients throughout the community, CHOC clinicians will use these donations as part of an investigational treatment to treat pediatric patients with COVID-19.
There are currently no approved treatments for or vaccines against COVID-19. People of all ages with pre-existing conditions such as cystic fibrosis, chronic lung diseases and some heart diseases are more at risk of developing serious complications if they contract COVID-19.
Because of that, CHOC aims to infuse pediatric patients that meet specific criteria with plasma donated by patients who have fully recovered from COVID-19. Though researchers are still learning about the disease, it is likely that their plasma contains antibodies to prevent future infection. This – called passive immunity – could help prevent infection in the patient who receives the infusion.
The use of convalescent plasma has been used successfully for other illnesses, but has not yet been approved for use in patients with COVID-19. So, this is considered an investigational treatment that must be approved for use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on an individual basis.