RESUMO
Since December 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection has spread worldwide. We all are concerned about immunocompromised children, especially hematologic and oncologic pediatric patients. We want to share our experience with 2 pediatric cancer patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection. Both presented mild disease and good outcome. No respiratory symptoms were identified, but both developed diarrhea, one probably secondary to lopinavir/ritonavir. Pediatric cancer patients may have milder disease than adults, but larger studies are needed to make conclusions.
Assuntos
Infecções por Coronavirus/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Renais/virologia , Pneumonia Viral/diagnóstico , Sarcoma de Ewing/virologia , Tumor de Wilms/virologia , Adolescente , Betacoronavirus/isolamento & purificação , COVID-19 , Criança , Pré-Escolar , Infecções por Coronavirus/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções por Coronavirus/epidemiologia , Diarreia/etiologia , Diarreia/virologia , Feminino , Humanos , Neoplasias Renais/epidemiologia , Lopinavir/uso terapêutico , Pandemias , Pneumonia Viral/tratamento farmacológico , Pneumonia Viral/epidemiologia , Ritonavir/uso terapêutico , SARS-CoV-2 , Sarcoma de Ewing/epidemiologia , Espanha/epidemiologia , Tumor de Wilms/epidemiologiaRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic, it is known that the severe course of the disease occurs mostly among the elderly, whereas it is rare among children and young adults. Comorbidities, in particular, diabetes and hypertension, clearly associated with age, besides obesity and smoke, are strongly associated with the need for intensive treatment and a dismal outcome. A weaker immunity of the elderly has been proposed as a possible explanation of this uneven age distribution. Thus, there is concern that children treated for cancer may allso be at risk for an unfavourable course of infection. Along the same line, anecdotal information from Wuhan, China, mentioned a severe course of COVID-19 in a child treated for leukaemia. AIM AND METHODS: We made a flash survey on COVID-19 incidence and severity among children on anticancer treatment. Respondents were asked by email to fill in a short Web-based survey. RESULTS: We received reports from 25 countries, where approximately 10,000 patients at risk are followed up. At the time of the survey, more than 200 of these children were tested, nine of whom were positive for COVID-19. Eight of the nine cases had asymptomatic to mild disease, and one was just diagnosed with COVID-19. We also discuss preventive measures that are in place or should be taken and treatment options in immunocompromised children with COVID-19. CONCLUSION: Thus, even children receiving anticancer chemotherapy may have a mild or asymptomatic course of COVID-19. While we should not underestimate the risk of developing a more severe course of COVID-19 than that observed here, the intensity of preventive measures should not cause delays or obstructions in oncological treatment.
