Bio


My clinical and research interests are in neonatal cholestatic liver diseases, including biliary atresia and fatty liver disease. I'm also highly experienced in liver transplant care, with a particular focus on teen and transition of care.

In addition to my clinical and research work, I'm deeply committed to medical education and patient education. I believe that knowledge is power, and I strive to empower my patients and their families with the resources and information they need to make informed decisions about their care.

As a physician, I'm dedicated to providing the highest level of care to my patients and their families. I believe that every child deserves the best possible chance at a healthy and fulfilling life, and I'm honored to play a role in helping them achieve that goal.

Clinical Focus


  • Pediatric Hepatology
  • Pediatric Transplant Hepatology

Academic Appointments


Honors & Awards


  • Advanced/Transplant Hepatology Fellowship Award, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) (2018-2020)
  • Travel Award, Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT) (2018)
  • Provost’s Postdoctoral Scholars Award, Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California (2016, 2017)
  • Cor Et Manus Award for Excellent Community Service, New York Medical College (2012)

Boards, Advisory Committees, Professional Organizations


  • Hepatology Special Interest Group Member, North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) (2019 - Present)
  • Member, Society of Pediatric Liver Transplantation (SPLIT) (2018 - Present)
  • Member, American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) (2016 - Present)
  • Member, North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (NASPGHAN) (2015 - Present)

Professional Education


  • Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatric Transplant Hepatology (2020)
  • Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatric Gastroenterology (2019)
  • Medical Education: New York Medical College Registrar (2012) NY
  • Fellowship: Children's Hospital Los Angeles Pediatric Transplant Hepatology (2019) CA
  • Fellowship: Children's Hospital Los Angeles Pediatric Gastroenterology (2018) CA
  • Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatrics (2015)
  • Residency: Baylor College of Medicine Pediatric Residency (2015) TX

Clinical Trials


  • Efficacy and Safety of Odevixibat in Children With Biliary Atresia Who Have Undergone a Kasai HPE (BOLD) Recruiting

    Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 study to investigate the efficacy and safety of odevixibat compared to placebo in children with biliary atresia who have undergone a Kasai hepatoportoenterostomy.

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  • TReatment for ImmUne Mediated PathopHysiology Recruiting

    TReatment for ImmUne Mediated PathopHysiology (TRIUMPH) is a multi-center, three arm, randomized, controlled trial of immunosuppressive therapy for children with acute liver failure. The study will determine if suppressing inflammatory responses with either corticosteroids or equine anti-thymocyte globulin therapy improves survival for children with this rare, life-threatening condition.

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All Publications


  • Health Care Transition for Adolescents and Young Adults with Pediatric-Onset Liver Disease and Transplantation: A Position Paper by the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition. Journal of pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition Vittorio, J., Kosmach-Park, B., King, L. Y., Fisher, R., Fredericks, E. M., Ng, V. L., Narang, A., Rasmussen, S., Bucuvalas, J. 2022

    Abstract

    Advances in medical therapies and liver transplantation have resulted in a greater number of pediatric patients reaching young adulthood. However, there is an increased risk for medical complications and morbidity surrounding transfer from pediatric to adult hepatology and transplant services. Health care transition (HCT) is the process of moving from a child/family-centered model of care to an adult or patient-centered model of health care. Successful HCT requires a partnership between pediatric and adult providers across all disciplines resulting in a transition process that does not end at the time of transfer but continues throughout early adulthood. Joint consensus guidelines in collaboration with the American Society of Transplantation (AST) are presented to facilitate adoption of a structured, multidisciplinary approach to transition planning utilizing The Six Core Elements of Health Care TransitionTM for use by both pediatric and adult specialists. This paper provides guidance and seeks support for the implementation of a HCT program which spans across both pediatric and adult hepatology and transplant centers.

    View details for DOI 10.1097/MPG.0000000000003560

    View details for PubMedID 35830731

  • Profound neonatal lactic acidosis and renal tubulopathy in a patient with glycogen storage disease type IXa2 secondary to a de novo pathogenic variant in PHKA2 MOLECULAR GENETICS AND METABOLISM REPORTS Morales, J., Tise, C. G., Narang, A., Grimm, P. C., Enns, G. M., Lee, C. U. 2021; 27
  • Severe Late-Onset Acute Cellular Rejection in a Pediatric Patient With Isolated Small Intestinal Transplant Rescued With Aggressive Immunosuppressive Approach: A Case Report. Transplantation proceedings Narang, A., Xi, D., Mitsinikos, T., Genyk, Y., Thomas, D., Kohli, R., Lin, C. H., Soufi, N., Warren, M., Merritt, R., Yanni, G. 2019; 51 (9): 3181-3185

    Abstract

    Small intestinal transplantation is performed for patients with intestinal failure who failed other surgical and medical treatment. It carries notable risks, including, but not limited to, acute and chronic cellular rejection and graft malfunction. Late severe acute intestinal allograft rejection is associated with increased risk of morbidity and mortality and, in the majority of cases, ends with total enterectomy. It usually results from subtherapeutic immunosuppression or nonadherence to medical treatment. We present the case of a 20-year-old patient who underwent isolated small bowel transplant for total intestinal Hirschsprung disease at age 7. Due to medication nonadherence, she developed severe late-onset acute cellular rejection manifested by high, bloody ostomy output and weight loss. Ileoscopy showed complete loss of normal intestinal anatomic landmarks and ulcerated mucosa. Graft biopsies showed ulceration and granulation tissue with severe architectural distortion consistent with severe intestinal graft rejection. She initially received intravenous corticosteroids and increased tacrolimus dose without significant improvement. Her immunosuppression was escalated to include infliximab and finally antithymocyte globulin. Graft enterectomy was considered repeatedly; however, clinical improvement was noted eventually with evidence of histologic improvement and salvage of the graft. The aggressive antirejection treatment was complicated by development of post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder that resolved with reducing immunosuppression. Her graft function is currently maintained on tacrolimus, oral prednisone, and a periodic infliximab infusion. We conclude that a prompt and aggressive immunosuppressive approach significantly increases the chance of rescuing small bowel transplant rejection.

    View details for DOI 10.1016/j.transproceed.2019.08.012

    View details for PubMedID 31711586

  • A 10-Year united network for organ sharing review of mortality and risk factors in young children awaiting liver transplantation. Liver transplantation : official publication of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases and the International Liver Transplantation Society Leung, D. H., Narang, A., Minard, C. G., Hiremath, G., Goss, J. A., Shepherd, R. 2016; 22 (11): 1584-1592

    Abstract

    Young children < 2 years of age with chronic end-stage liver disease (YC2) are a uniquely vulnerable group listed for liver transplantation, characterized by a predominance of biliary atresia (BA). To investigate wait-list mortality, associated risk factors, and outcomes of YC2, we evaluated United Network for Organ Sharing registry data from April 2003 to March 2013 for YC2 listed for deceased donor transplant (BA = 994; other chronic liver disease [CLD] = 221). Overall, wait-list mortality among YC2 was 12.4% and posttransplant mortality was 8%, accounting for an overall postlisting mortality of 19.6%. YC2 demonstrated 12.2%, 18.7%, and 20.6% wait-list mortality by 90, 180, and 270 days, respectively. YC2 with CLD demonstrated significantly higher wait-list mortality compared with BA among YC2 (23.9% versus 9.8%; P < 0.05). Multivariate analyses revealed that listing Pediatric End-Stage Liver Disease [PELD] > 21 (hazard ratio [HR], 3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6-6.5), lack of exception (HR, 5.8; 95% CI, 2.8-11.8), listing height < 60.6 cm (HR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.4-3.1), listing weight  > 10 kg (HR, 3.8; 95% CI, 1.5-9.2), and initial creatinine > 0.5 (HR, 6.8; 95% CI, 3.4-13.5) were independent risk factors for YC2 wait-list mortality (P < 0.005 for all). Adjusting for all variables, the risk of death among CLD patients was 2 (95% CI, 1.3-3.1) times greater than patients with BA + surgery (presumed Kasai). Furthermore, the risk of death in BA without surgery was 1.9 (95% CI, 1‐3.4) times greater than BA with presumed Kasai. Our data highlight unacceptably high wait-list and early post-liver transplant mortality in YC2 not predicted by PELD and suggest key risk factors deserving of further study in this age group. Liver Transplantation 22 1584-1592 2016 AASLD.

    View details for DOI 10.1002/lt.24605

    View details for PubMedID 27541809

    View details for PubMedCentralID PMC5083224