Clinical Outcomes of Pediatric Cancer Patients with COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Considering the widespread COVID-19 pandemic and its impact, especially on children, particularly those with cancer, in terms of transmission risk, mortality, and the occurrence of the disease based on various studies in different countries, we decided to conduct this study to improve the care of children with cancer regarding COVID-19. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 consisted of obtaining 20 mL of blood samples from the participants in a random manner. Diagnostic examinations, including CT scans, chest X-rays, and a range of hematologic and blood tests, such as complete blood count, ESR, CRP, and D-Dimer, were performed on all patients. Results: This study contains 26 males and 12 females. The mean age of the patients was 3.81 ± 6.35 years. The majority of cancer patients with COVID-19 were diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) (47.7%). The most common symptoms of COVID-19 in the patients were fever (73.7%), cough (39.5%), and nausea/vomiting (21.1%). 40.4% of the patients had pathological findings suggestive of COVID-19 on their chest CT scans. 60.52% of the patients had an elevated Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR), and 73.68% had an elevated C-reactive protein (CRP) level. Conclusion: Despite the outcomes of COVID-19 in most children with cancer in this study, children with cancer still experience risks from COVID-19, and it is unclear how delays and interruptions in cancer treatment and direct damage from the virus may impact long-term outcomes in these patients.