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

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

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.