Omicron Variant of SARS-CoV-2, an epidemiologic assessment of pediatric
oncology patients in the Bronx
Abstract
Children with cancer who develop fever in the setting of
chemotherapy-induced neutropenia are treated empirically for bacteremia.
Viral etiologies are most common and there remains no consensus about
anticipatory guidance that should be provided to patients regarding
community-acquired infections. Using COVID-19 positivity as a surrogate
for a community acquired infectious exposure, we performed a
retrospective chart review of pediatric oncology patients diagnosed with
COVID-19 during the Omicron (B.1.1.529) surge at The Children’s Hospital
at Montefiore. No patients in our cohort developed bacteremia, or
serious respiratory illness. Future studies will aid in understanding
the relationship between bacteremia and community acquired infections in
order to provide evidence-based recommendations about environmental
exposures and guide optimal care for our patients.