Hayden Grosvenor is used to spending time in the hospital. He has Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), a rare condition that is characterized by an excess of white blood cells. Because of this, he has been in and out of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for years. To treat his condition he received a liver transplant, which has kept him in the hospital. The recovery process is difficult, but something has made it even harder: Hayden contracted COVID-19.
About Langerhans Cell Histiocytosis (LCH)
LCH is a rare, inflammatory disorder that is characterized by an excess of histiocytes, a type of white blood cell that protects from infection. In affected individuals, these cells multiply out of control and build up throughout the body, forming granulomas. These tumors can then spread and impact other parts of the body. Along with these growths, symptoms include swollen lymph glands, vision problems, bulging eyes, red and scaly papules on the skin, lesions that destroy the bones, low protein levels, jaundice, and alterations of the hormonal function in the central nervous system. These symptoms are the result of an unknown cause, but doctors suspect that environmental factors and the MAPKinase pathway may play a role. In terms of treatment, it depends on the impacted individual. Some see regression without treatment, others need surgery and steroids.
Fighting COVID-19 After a Liver Transplant
Hayden’s LCH has sent him to the hospital multiple times throughout his life, whether it was for chemotherapy or another treatment. Most recently, he has stayed in the hospital for a liver transplant. As the surgery requires a lengthy recovery process, he has remained at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital for three weeks.
Eight days after the surgery, both Hayden and his mother caught COVID-19. It has made the recovery process difficult, as doctors cannot discern which symptoms are caused by the virus and which are the result of the new liver. They are paying close attention to his condition, making sure that no complications arise.
Another problem that has arisen is room and board. Hayden’s parents typically stay in the Ronald McDonald House, but they’ve been living in a hotel since testing positive, which has gotten expensive. If you want to help the family, you can donate here.
You can find the source story here, and updates on Hayden’s condition here.
