Severity of COVID-19 in children with cancer: Report from the United Kingdom Paediatric Coronavirus Cancer Monitoring Project
Authors
Millen, G. C.Arnold, R.
Cazier, J. B.
Curley, H.
Feltbower, R. G.
Gamble, A.
Glaser, A. W.
Grundy, R. G.
Lee, L. Y. W.
McCabe, Martin G
Phillips, R. S.
Stiller, C. A.
Várnai, C.
Kearns, P. R.
Affiliation
Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.Issue Date
2020
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Background: Children with cancer are frequently immunocompromised. While children are generally thought to be at less risk of severe SARS-CoV-2 infection than adults, comprehensive population-based evidence for the risk in children with cancer is unavailable. We aimed to produce evidence of the incidence and outcomes from SARS-CoV-2 in children with cancer attending all hospitals treating this population across the UK. Methods: Retrospective and prospective observational study of all children in the UK under 16 diagnosed with cancer through data collection from all hospitals providing cancer care to this population. Eligible patients tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The primary end-point was death, discharge or end of active care for COVID-19 for those remaining in hospital. Results: Between 12 March 2020 and 31 July 2020, 54 cases were identified: 15 (28%) were asymptomatic, 34 (63%) had mild infections and 5 (10%) moderate, severe or critical infections. No patients died and only three patients required intensive care support due to COVID-19. Estimated incidence of hospital identified SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer under 16 was 3%. Conclusions: Children with cancer with SARS-CoV-2 infection do not appear at increased risk of severe infection compared to the general paediatric population. This is reassuring and supports the continued delivery of standard treatment.Citation
Millen GC, Arnold R, Cazier JB, Curley H, Feltbower RG, Gamble A, et al. Severity of COVID-19 in children with cancer: Report from the United Kingdom Paediatric Coronavirus Cancer Monitoring Project. Br J Cancer. 2020.Journal
British Journal of CancerDOI
10.1038/s41416-020-01181-0PubMed ID
33299130Additional Links
https://dx.doi.org/10.1038/s41416-020-01181-0Type
ArticleLanguage
enae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1038/s41416-020-01181-0
Scopus Count
Collections
Related articles
- Human and novel coronavirus infections in children: a review.
- Authors: Rajapakse N, Dixit D
- Issue date: 2020 Jun 25
- Clinical characteristics of children and young people admitted to hospital with covid-19 in United Kingdom: prospective multicentre observational cohort study.
- Authors: Swann OV, Holden KA, Turtle L, Pollock L, Fairfield CJ, Drake TM, Seth S, Egan C, Hardwick HE, Halpin S, Girvan M, Donohue C, Pritchard M, Patel LB, Ladhani S, Sigfrid L, Sinha IP, Olliaro PL, Nguyen-Van-Tam JS, Horby PW, Merson L, Carson G, Dunning J, Openshaw PJM, Baillie JK, Harrison EM, Docherty AB, Semple MG, ISARIC4C Investigators.
- Issue date: 2020 Aug 27
- Development and Clinical Application of a Rapid and Sensitive Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification Test for SARS-CoV-2 Infection.
- Authors: Hu X, Deng Q, Li J, Chen J, Wang Z, Zhang X, Fang Z, Li H, Zhao Y, Yu P, Li W, Wang X, Li S, Zhang L, Hou T
- Issue date: 2020 Aug 26
- The SARS-CoV-2 Ivermectin Navarra-ISGlobal Trial (SAINT) to Evaluate the Potential of Ivermectin to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission in low risk, non-severe COVID-19 patients in the first 48 hours after symptoms onset: A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomized control pilot trial.
- Authors: Chaccour C, Ruiz-Castillo P, Richardson MA, Moncunill G, Casellas A, Carmona-Torre F, Giráldez M, Mota JS, Yuste JR, Azanza JR, Fernández M, Reina G, Dobaño C, Brew J, Sadaba B, Hammann F, Rabinovich R
- Issue date: 2020 Jun 8
- Norwegian Coronavirus Disease 2019 (NO COVID-19) Pragmatic Open label Study to assess early use of hydroxychloroquine sulphate in moderately severe hospitalised patients with coronavirus disease 2019: A structured summary of a study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.
- Authors: Lyngbakken MN, Berdal JE, Eskesen A, Kvale D, Olsen IC, Rangberg A, Jonassen CM, Omland T, Røsjø H, Dalgard O
- Issue date: 2020 Jun 5