Fatma Ebeid

and 13 more

Background: Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) could be associated with morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised children. Objective: To measure the frequency of SARS-COV-2 infection among hospitalized children with cancer and detect the associated clinical manifestations and outcomes. Methodology: A prospective non-interventional study including all hospitalized children with cancer conducted between mid-April and mid-June 2020 in Ain Shams University hospital, Egypt. Clinical, laboratory and radiological data were collected. SARS-CoV2 infection was diagnosed by RT-PCR 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 RT-PCR were not diagnostic; the mean absolute lymphocyte count was 8.7±2.4 x109/L, C-reactive protein was mildly elevated in most of patients. Imaging was performed in 10(66.7%) patients with significant radiological 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. Conclusion: 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.