Journal Article Ppublish 5 citations
PubMed: 34625294 DOI: 10.1053/j.seminoncol.2021.09.003
Treatment and outcomes of pediatric patients with cancer and COVID-19 at MAHAK pediatric cancer treatment and research center, Tehran, Iran.
Semin Oncol 48(4-6):295-303
Authors: Azim Mehrvar, Ibrahim Qaddoumi, Maryam Tashvighi, Ali Naderi, Hadi Mousakhani, Ramin Alasvand, Babak Shekarchi, Negar Afsar, Mahyar Nourian, Narjes Mehrvar
Affiliations
- MAHAK Hematology Oncology Research Center (MAHAK-HORC), MAHAK Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
- St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.
- MAHAK Hematology Oncology Research Center (MAHAK-HORC), MAHAK Hospital, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly devastating for Iran. Children with cancer are generally immunosuppressed and especially vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2 infections. We report the treatment and outcomes of pediatric oncology patients with COVID-19 at the MAHAK Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center (MPCTRC) in Tehran. We enrolled pediatric oncology patients who experienced SARS-CoV-2 infections from March 18, 2020, to January 28, 2021. The COVID-19 diagnostic criteria at MPCTRC were based on imaging and clinical presentation because of specific challenges diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infections with molecular testing, which was locally developed and conducted at centers other than MPCTRC. We enrolled nine outpatients and eight inpatients (mean age = 9 years), seven of whom had a diagnosis of leukemias, and five who had brain tumors. COVID-19 symptoms were mild in fourteen patients, and three patients were asymptomatic. Of twelve patients who received molecular testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection, eight were negative and four were positive. Of nine patients tested for IgG and IgM antibodies, one was positive. Three patients died of COVID-19, all of whom were hospitalized. Mild COVID-19 symptoms did not appear to affect the outcomes of the pediatric patients with cancer who received treatment at MPCTRC during the study period.
MeSH
Infections, Research Design, Pediatrics, Therapeutics, Neoplasms, Coronavirus, Covid-19, Sars-Cov-2