Cancer and Chemotherapy in Pediatric COVID-19: A Case Series

Abstract

Objectives: This case series aims to present three cases of pediatric cancer – two acute leukemia and one solid tumor with active COVID-19 infection who underwent chemotherapy Methodology: Three cases of pediatric cancer who tested positive for SARS-CoV2 are presented. All proceeded with scheduled chemotherapy despite active COVID-19 infection. Two had no post-chemotherapy complications, while one had febrile neutropenia and hospital-acquired pneumonia. Results: In this case series, COVID-19 infection in pediatric patients with cancer does not appear to be more severe compared with the general population. The severity of signs and symptoms can be attributed to a lower Cycle Threshold (CT) value and a co-infection. COVID-19 infection did not change the course and post-chemotherapy complications in all cases. Conclusion: Patient demographics, comorbidities and type of malignancy played an essential role in the pre- and post-chemotherapy outcome. Individual patient factors including CT values, comorbidities, co-infections, COVID19 disease severity classification, and blood count picture are also instrumental in the management and outcome of these cases. Pediatric cancer treatment should be a priority during active COVID-19 infection.