Second wave of COVID-19 – Not a matter of great concern for pediatric hematologist/oncologist

Abstract

ObjectiveCoronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a global pandemic and is giving rise to a serious health threat globally. SARS-CoV-2 infection ranges from asymptomatic carrier state to severe illness requiring intensive care unit (ICU) management. It is postulated that with COVID-19 infection, children are less prone to develop severe symptoms as compared with adults. The data on immunocompromised children affected with COVID-19 infection is limited and not many publications are there on the effects of 2nd wave of COVID-19 infection in pediatric hematology/oncology patients till date. MethodsRetrospective data analysis of patients under the age of 18 years with underlying hematological and oncological conditions including those who underwent stem cell transplantation. All SARS-CoV-2-positive cases were included in the study. ResultsIn our experience during second wave, 17 patients were found to be positive for SARS-CoV-2 with a male: female ratio of 2.4: 1 and median age of 8 years (range 1 – 18 years). Out of these 17 patients, 10 (58.8%) patients required hospital admission whereas the remaining were managed at home. Only 1 patient required ventilatory support and there was no mortality. ConclusionThough the number of pediatric patients with COVID-19 infection were more during the second wave but majority had mild to moderate symptoms and were easily managed.