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COVID-19 Impact on Pediatric Oncology and Hematology: A Report From the French Society of Pediatric Oncology
  • +11
  • Jérémie GAUDICHON,
  • Eric Thebault,
  • Arthur Felix,
  • Aurélie Phulpin,
  • Catherine Paillard,
  • Aurélia Alimi,
  • Benoît Brethon,
  • Elodie Gouache,
  • Sandra Raimbault,
  • Eva De Berranger,
  • Marilyne Poiree,
  • Séverine Bouttefroy,
  • Nicolas André,
  • Virginie Gandemer
Jérémie GAUDICHON
CHU de Caen

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Eric Thebault
Gustave Roussy Institute
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Arthur Felix
Gustave Roussy Institute
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Aurélie Phulpin
CHU Nancy
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Catherine Paillard
Hopitaux universitaires de Strasbourg
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Aurélia Alimi
Institut Curie
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Benoît Brethon
Hôpital Universitaire Robert-Debré
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Elodie Gouache
Hopital Armand-Trousseau
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Sandra Raimbault
Oscar Lambret Cancer Centre
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Eva De Berranger
CHRU Lille
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Marilyne Poiree
CHU Nice, Service d'Hématologie Oncologie Pédiatrique
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Séverine Bouttefroy
IHOPe
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Nicolas André
Hôpital pour enfants de
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Virginie Gandemer
CHU Rennes
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Abstract

Introduction: Data regarding coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) description are still limited in pediatric oncology. The French society of pediatric oncology (SFCE) has initiated a study to better describe the presentation and evolution of COVID-19 in patients followed in French pediatric oncology and hematology wards. Methods: All patients diagnosed with COVID-19 (polymerase chain reaction [PCR] positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 [SARS-CoV-2], or positive IgM serology, or chest computed tomography scan and clinical signs typical of COVID-19) and followed in a SFCE center were enrolled. Data from medical records were analyzed for all patients enrolled up to the end of May 2020. Results: Data was available for 37 patients. Thirty-one were children under 18 years of age. Nineteen patients were female. Seventeen patients had a solid tumor, 16 had a hematological malignancy and four recently underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for non-oncological conditions. Twenty-eight patients presented symptoms, most often with fever, cough, rhinorrhea and asthenia. Ground-glass opacities were the most frequent radiological finding with abnormalities mostly bilateral and peripherally distributed. Twenty-four patients received chemotherapy a month prior to COVID-19 diagnosis. Most patients did not require hospitalization. Three patients required oxygen at the time of diagnosis. In total, five patients were admitted in an intensive care unit because of COVID-19 and one died from the disease. Conclusion: Children and young adults infected with SARS-CoV-2 and treated for a cancer and/or with a HSCT may be at risk for severe COVID-19 and should be closely monitored. (NCT04433871)