Pediatric Specialty Infusion Clinic (monoclonal antibody therapy)
At this time we are pausing monoclonal antibody therapy for treatment of COVID-19. Until we have a monoclonal agent that has activity to the current variant, we are not able to take referrals. We will post updates as soon as this situation changes.
The Kentucky Children’s Hospital Specialty Infusion Clinic serves as the primary state site for pediatric COVID-19 monoclonal antibody infusions for children ages 12 to 17. This infusion mimic and supplement the body’s immune response, making it harder for the virus to spread and progress to a severe infection, reducing the risk of hospitalization.
Monoclonal antibodies, which are available under emergency use authorization (EUA) by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, are similar to the antibodies your immune system would produce in response to an infection. They are mass-produced artificial antibodies that are designed to target the coronavirus. Read more about monoclonal antibodies: FDA fact sheet.
The procedure is used to bolster the body’s immune system to fight the virus but is not meant to replace the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination for kids 5 and older is recommended as the best line of defense against COVID.
Treatment eligibility
Children, 12 to 17 years, who test positive for COVID, are within 7 days of symptom onset and have a high-risk factor that increases the chance of a negative outcome are eligible. High-risk factors include:
- Obesity or being overweight (body mass index greater than 85 percent for their age and gender on CDC growth charts)
- Chronic kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Immunosuppressive disease or immunosuppressive treatment
- Cardiovascular disease, including congenital heart disease
- Sickle cell disease
- Pregnancy
- Chronic lung disease including moderate to severe asthma, interstitial lung disease, cystic fibrosis and pulmonary hypertension
- Neurodevelopmental disorders such as cerebral palsy, genetic/metabolic syndromes, severe congenital anomalies
- Patients who are dependent on medical technology such as tracheostomy, gastrostomy, or positive-pressure ventilation not related to COVID-19
Patients require only one infusion, which takes just a few minutes, but should expect to spend up to three hours at the clinic.
Why choose UK HealthCare for pediatric monoclonal antibody therapy?
As the primary state site for pediatric monoclonal antibody infusions, the Specialty Infusion Clinic at Kentucky Children’s Hospital offers a state-of-the-art clinic tailored to serving the needs of young patients. Located in UK HealthCare’s Kentucky Clinic, this clinic can provide infusion therapy for up to 26 pediatric patients per day. The clinic has 13 infusion spaces with two rooms that can accommodate siblings.
The Specialty Infusion Clinic is a hospital-based clinic. Learn more about UK HealthCare's other hospital-based clinics and departments by clicking here.
Hours of operation: 3 p.m.-9 p.m., Monday through Friday.