tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
J Pediatr Hematol Oncol
. 2020 Dec 7.
doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000002025. Online ahead of print.
COVID-19 in Children With Cancer: A Single Low-Middle Income Center Experience
Fatma S E Ebeid[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Iman A Ragab[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Nayera H K Elsherif[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sara Makkeyah[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Salwa Mostafa[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Khadiga Eltonbary[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Safa Matbouly[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Aya Mostafa[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Heba Goma[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sara H Agwa[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Hala M Hafez[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Samia Girgis[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Yasmin G El Gendy[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Manal H El-Sayed[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) could be associated with morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised children.
Objective: The objective of this study was to measure the frequency of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among hospitalized children with cancer and to detect the associated clinical manifestations and outcomes.
Methodology: A prospective noninterventional study including all hospitalized children with cancer conducted between mid-April and mid-June 2020 in Ain Shams University Hospital, Egypt. Clinical, laboratory, and radiologic data were collected. SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests in nasopharyngeal swabs.
Results: Fifteen of 61 hospitalized children with cancer were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2. Their mean age was 8.3?3.5 years. Initially, 10 (66.7%) were asymptomatic and 5 (33.3%) were symptomatic with fever and/or cough. Baseline laboratory tests other than SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were not diagnostic; the mean absolute lymphocyte count was 8.7?2.4?10/L. C-reactive protein was mildly elevated in most of the patients. Imaging was performed in 10 (66.7%) patients with significant radiologic findings detected in 4 (40%) patients. Treatment was mainly supportive with antibiotics as per the febrile neutropenia protocol and local Children Hospital guidance for management of COVID-19 in children.
Conclusions: Pediatric cancer patients with COVID-19 were mainly asymptomatic or with mild symptoms. A high index of suspicion and regular screening with nasopharyngeal swab in asymptomatic hospitalized cancer patients is recommended.
. 2020 Dec 7.
doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000002025. Online ahead of print.
COVID-19 in Children With Cancer: A Single Low-Middle Income Center Experience
Fatma S E Ebeid[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP], Iman A Ragab[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Nayera H K Elsherif[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sara Makkeyah[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Salwa Mostafa[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Khadiga Eltonbary[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Safa Matbouly[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Aya Mostafa[SUP] 3 [/SUP], Heba Goma[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Sara H Agwa[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Hala M Hafez[SUP] 5 [/SUP], Samia Girgis[SUP] 6 [/SUP], Yasmin G El Gendy[SUP] 7 [/SUP], Manal H El-Sayed[SUP] 1 2 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 33290293
- DOI: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000002025
Abstract
Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) could be associated with morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised children.
Objective: The objective of this study was to measure the frequency of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection among hospitalized children with cancer and to detect the associated clinical manifestations and outcomes.
Methodology: A prospective noninterventional study including all hospitalized children with cancer conducted between mid-April and mid-June 2020 in Ain Shams University Hospital, Egypt. Clinical, laboratory, and radiologic data were collected. SARS-CoV-2 infection was diagnosed by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction tests in nasopharyngeal swabs.
Results: Fifteen of 61 hospitalized children with cancer were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2. Their mean age was 8.3?3.5 years. Initially, 10 (66.7%) were asymptomatic and 5 (33.3%) were symptomatic with fever and/or cough. Baseline laboratory tests other than SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were not diagnostic; the mean absolute lymphocyte count was 8.7?2.4?10/L. C-reactive protein was mildly elevated in most of the patients. Imaging was performed in 10 (66.7%) patients with significant radiologic findings detected in 4 (40%) patients. Treatment was mainly supportive with antibiotics as per the febrile neutropenia protocol and local Children Hospital guidance for management of COVID-19 in children.
Conclusions: Pediatric cancer patients with COVID-19 were mainly asymptomatic or with mild symptoms. A high index of suspicion and regular screening with nasopharyngeal swab in asymptomatic hospitalized cancer patients is recommended.