COVID-19 in Children with Cancer

Abstract

Purpose of Review This study aims to describe what is currently known about how children with cancer have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including morbidity and mortality, interruptions in cancer care and delays in diagnosis, and psychosocial effects. Here we summarize the literature on how this patient population has fared during the pandemic, reviewing multiple smaller reports along with two large registries. Recent Findings Although children with cancer generally have better outcomes with COVID-19 infection than adults with cancer, their risks of hospitalization, ICU admission, and death are greatly increased compared to the general pediatric population. There are socioeconomic and ethnic disparities present in these effects. Summary Children with cancer experience significant risks from the COVID-19 pandemic. It has yet to be seen how delays and interruptions of cancer treatment and direct organ toxicities caused by the virus itself may affect long-term outcomes in these patients.

The Impact of COVID-19 on Pediatric Malignancy Diagnosis and Treatment: Never the Same but Lessons Learned

“…These numbers might look alarming, but fortunately, it is only a small subset when compared to the adult population with COVID-19 [ 2 ]. COVID-19 in children caused overall less mortality and morbidity compared to the adult population [ 8 ]. When looking at children with cancer specifically, the deaths attributed to COVID-19 among pediatric oncology patients were 4% as per the global registry of COVID-19 in childhood cancer.…”

Early Treatments of Fragile Children with COVID-19—Results of CLEVER (Children COVID Early Treatment), a Retrospective, Observational Study

“…The pediatric population usually presents no or mild symptoms, with a relatively low risk of developing severe SARS-CoV-2 disease, including Delta and Omicron variants [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]. Nonetheless, many children require hospital admission, especially those with comorbidities, as exposure to SARS-CoV-2 is almost universal, thus contributing to the hospitalization burden globally [ 4 , 5 , 6 ]. In the early stage of the pandemic, children have not been included in the clinical trials for COVID-19 treatment development, with consequently limited evidence in this age group.…”

Monoclonal antibodies for the early treatment of paediatric COVID-19 patients: a tangible contribution from hospital pharmacists in the lack of evidence

“…Unlike adults, most paediatric patients experience mild severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections, showing favourable outcomes and extremely low hospitalisation rates 1. However, if we consider frail patients, the risk of developing a severe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) increases to even life-threatening clinical scenarios 2…”

“…Due to their immunosuppressive status, transplant recipients and onco-haematological children represent a restricted but vulnerable cohort of patients exposed to high-risk outcomes 2…”