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.
Department of Paediatric Oncology, Birmingham Children's Hospital, Steelhouse Lane, Birmingham, B4 6NH, UK.
Br J Cancer. 2021 Feb;124(4):754-759. doi: 10.1038/s41416-020-01181-0. Epub 2020 Dec 10.
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.
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.
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%.
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.
患有癌症的儿童通常免疫力较弱。虽然儿童感染严重的 SARS-CoV-2 的风险一般被认为低于成年人，但缺乏针对癌症儿童这一人群的全面基于人群的风险证据。我们旨在提供英国所有治疗癌症的医院就诊的癌症儿童感染 SARS-CoV-2 的发病率和结局的证据。
对通过收集为该人群提供癌症治疗的所有医院的所有 16 岁以下被诊断患有癌症的英国儿童进行回顾性和前瞻性观察研究。通过逆转录聚合酶链反应 (RT-PCR) 检测到 SARS-CoV-2 呈阳性的合格患者符合条件。主要终点是对于仍在住院的患者，因 COVID-19 死亡、出院或结束积极治疗。
在 2020 年 3 月 12 日至 7 月 31 日期间，共发现 54 例病例：15 例（28%）无症状，34 例（63%）为轻度感染，5 例（10%）为中度、重度或危急感染。没有患者死亡，只有 3 例患者因 COVID-19 需要重症监护支持。估计 16 岁以下癌症儿童中因 SARS-CoV-2 感染而住院的发生率为 3%。
与一般儿科人群相比，感染 SARS-CoV-2 的癌症儿童似乎没有增加严重感染的风险。这令人安心，并支持继续进行标准治疗。
