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. 2021 Nov 1;43(8):e1077-e1081.
doi: 10.1097/MPH.0000000000002025.

COVID-19 in Children With Cancer: A Single Low-Middle Income Center Experience

Fatma S E Ebeid  1   2 , Iman A Ragab  1 , Nayera H K Elsherif  1 , Sara Makkeyah  1 , Salwa Mostafa  1 , Khadiga Eltonbary  1 , Safa Matbouly  1 , Aya Mostafa  3 , Heba Goma  1 , Sara H Agwa  4 , Hala M Hafez  5 , Samia Girgis  6 , Yasmin G El Gendy  7 , Manal H El-Sayed  1   2
Affiliations

COVID-19 in Children With Cancer: A Single Low-Middle Income Center Experience

Fatma S E Ebeid et al. J Pediatr Hematol Oncol. .

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±2.4×109/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.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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