Published online Sep 25, 2022. doi: 10.5501/wjv.v11.i5.321
Peer-review started: February 19, 2022
First decision: June 16, 2022
Revised: June 28, 2022
Accepted: September 2, 2022
Article in press: September 2, 2022
Published online: September 25, 2022
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been the cause of a global health crisis since the end of 2019. All countries are following the guidelines and re-commendations released by the World Health Organization to decrease the spread of the disease. Children account for only 3%-5% of COVID-19 cases. Few data are available regarding the clinical course, disease severity, and mode of treatment in children with malignancy and COVID-19.
To evaluate the treatment plan and outcome of children with malignancy who contracted COVID-19.
A retrospective study of the medical files of patients with malignancy who contracted COVID-19 between July 2020 and June 2021 was performed. The following data were reviewed for all patients: primary disease, laboratory data, admission ward, clinical status upon admission, disease course, treatment plan, and outcome. Eligible patients were those with malignancy who tested positive for COVID-19 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.
A total of 40 patients who had malignancy contracted COVID-19 from July 1, 2020 to June 1, 2021. Their primary diseases were as follows: 34 patients (85%) had hematological malignancies (30 had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 2 had acute myeloblastic leukemia, and 2 had Hodgkin lymphoma), whereas 6 patients (15%) had solid tumors (2 had neuroblastoma, 2 had rhabdomyosarcoma, and 2 had central nervous system tumors). Twelve patients (30%) did not need hospitalization and underwent home isolation only, whereas twenty-eight patients (70%) required hospitalization (26 patients were admitted in the COVID-19 ward and 2 were admitted in the pediatric intensive care unit).
COVID-19 with malignancy in the pediatric age group has a benign course and does not increase the risk of having severe infection compared to other children.
Core Tip: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global health crisis since the end of 2019. This retrospective study describes the manifestation of COVID-19 in our oncology patients who were treated at Queen Rania Children’s Hospital between July 2021 and June 2021, focusing on the initial presentation, clinical course and management plan and comparing these results with the international data worldwide to determine the optimal way to care for oncology patients during the COVID-19 crisis.