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Clinical and Nutritional Aspects and Outcomes of Covid-19 in Cancer and Non-Cancer Pediatric Patients

Greice Milena Sant'Ana Reis1, Heleni Aires Clemente2, José Adailton da Silva2

  • 1Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Bahia, Salvador, Brazil.

Nutrition and Cancer
|September 28, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric cancer patients with COVID-19 experienced longer hospital stays and a significantly higher risk of severe illness and death compared to non-cancer patients. This highlights the vulnerability of immunocompromised children during the pandemic.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • The global impact of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) on pediatric populations requires further investigation.
  • Understanding the clinical course and outcomes of COVID-19 in children with underlying health conditions, such as cancer, is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the clinical and nutritional aspects of hospitalized pediatric cancer patients with COVID-19.
  • To determine the association between oncological disease and COVID-19 outcomes in children.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study involving hospitalized children and adolescents with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19.
  • Patients were categorized based on the presence or absence of a prior oncological diagnosis.
  • Sociodemographic, clinical, and nutritional data were collected and analyzed, including outcomes such as Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission, length of stay, criticality, and mortality.

Main Results:

  • Children with cancer (19.3%) had a significantly longer length of stay (≥14 days) (RR 4.30; p=0.013).
  • Cancer patients exhibited a higher risk of COVID-19 criticality (RR 3.82; p=0.010).
  • A statistically significant increased risk of death was observed in pediatric cancer patients (RR 3.42; p=0.035).

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric cancer patients with COVID-19 face a disproportionately higher burden of severe disease.
  • Oncological status is an independent risk factor for adverse COVID-19 outcomes, including prolonged hospitalization, critical illness, and mortality in children.
  • These findings underscore the need for vigilant monitoring and tailored management strategies for immunocompromised pediatric populations during infectious disease outbreaks.

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