Comparison of clinical and diagnostic features of pediatric oncology
patients with or without Covid-19 infection. A retrospective chart
review
Abstract
Abstract Background: There is scarcity of data summarizing the clinical
picture, laboratory, and imaging findings as well as outcome in children
with malignancy and Covid-19 infection. This study characterizes a
detailed comparison of pediatric oncology patients with and without
Covid infection. Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted from
March 2020-June 2020 at The Indus hospital, Karachi, Pakistan. Pediatric
oncology patients (1 month-18 years) with and without covid infection
were included in the study. Clinical presentation, laboratory and
imaging findings, disease severity and outcome was compared between both
cohorts. Results: The mean age of children with and without Covid, was
8.0 ± 4.9 years and 7.4 ± 4.1years respectively. Hematological
malignancy comprises the largest number of patients followed by solid
tumours. Lymphocytosis and low NLR is observed in covid positive group.
Cardiac dysfunction (1.4% vs 0), ARDS (8%vs 0) and lower SpO2/FiO2
ratio (473 vs486) found to be associated with severe disease in covid
positive group (p-value<0.05). Overall mortality in children
with covid was 6.8% versus 2.7% in children without covid. Conclusion:
Pediatric patients with malignancy have different clinical features and
laboratory parameters as compare to children without malignancy. ARDS,
absolute lymphocytosis and low NLR is associated with severe disease in
children with malignancy and covid infection. In contrast to adults,
biochemical markers and CBC parameters are not helpful in recognizing
covid infection in pediatric patients with malignancy.