Gerard C Millen1,2, Roland Arnold3, Jean-Baptiste Cazier4, Helen Curley3, Richard G Feltbower5, Ashley Gamble6, Adam W Glaser5,7, Richard G Grundy6,8, Lennard Y W Lee9, Martin G McCabe10,11, Robert S Phillips12,13, Charles A Stiller11, Csilla Várnai3,14, Pamela R Kearns15,16. 1. 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. g.c.millen@bham.ac.uk. 2. Department of Paediatric Oncology, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, B4 6NH, UK. g.c.millen@bham.ac.uk. 3. Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. 4. Centre for Computational Biology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. 5. Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA), School of Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK. 6. Children's Cancer and Leukaemia Group (CCLG), Leicester, LE1 7GB, UK. 7. Professor of Paediatric Oncology and Late Effects Medicine, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK. 8. Children's Brain Tumour Research Centre, School of Medicine, The University of Nottingham, Nottingham, NG7 2UH, UK. 9. Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK. 10. Division of Cancer Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK. 11. National Cancer Registration and Analysis Service, Public Health England, London, SE1 8UG, UK. 12. Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, University of York, York, UK. 13. Department of Paediatric Oncology, Leeds Children's Hospital, Leeds, UK. 14. Centre for Computational Biology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK. 15. Department of Paediatric Oncology, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, B4 6NH, UK. 16. Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit, NIHR Birmingham Biomedical Research Centre, Institute of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
Abstract
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.
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 patientsdied 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.
Authors: Meera Shaunak; Ravin Patel; Saul N Faust; Hans de Graaf; Corine Driessens; Lynne Mills; Alice Leahy; Diane Gbesemete; Daniel R Owens; Jane S Lucas Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2021-03-17 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: Gerard Cathal Millen; Roland Arnold; Jean-Baptiste Cazier; Helen Curley; Richard Feltbower; Ashley Gamble; Adam Glaser; Richard G Grundy; Laura Kirton; Lennard Y W Lee; Martin G McCabe; Claire Palles; Bob Phillips; Charles A Stiller; Csilla Varnai; Pamela Kearns Journal: Arch Dis Child Date: 2021-07-22 Impact factor: 3.791