Clinical characteristics and outcomes of SARS-CoV-2 infection in
pediatric oncology patients in the province of Quebec
- André Ilinca,
- Nawar Dakhallah,
- Amalia Souza,
- Jessica Liu,
- Samuel Bérubé,
- Josee Brossard,
- Catherine Vezina,
- Marie-Claude Pelland-Marcotte,
- Raoul Santiago,
- Thai Hoa Tran
André Ilinca
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine
Author ProfileNawar Dakhallah
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine
Author ProfileAmalia Souza
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine
Author ProfileSamuel Bérubé
Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec-Université Laval
Author ProfileMarie-Claude Pelland-Marcotte
Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec-Université Laval
Author ProfileRaoul Santiago
Centre hospitalier universitaire de Québec-Université Laval
Author ProfileAbstract
Children with SARS-CoV-2 infection have been consistently described with
milder clinical outcomes compared to adults. However, data pertaining to
the clinical evolution of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children with cancer
remain scarce. In this descriptive cohort study, we report the clinical
characteristics and outcomes of 31 pediatric oncology patients with
SARS-CoV-2 infection in the province of Quebec, Canada. Most patients
were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms, with only 2 COVID-19-related
hospitalizations and no COVID-19-related deaths. The favorable outcomes
in our cohort may be explained by Quebec's universal access to health
care and regionalization of pediatric oncology care in tertiary centers
exclusively.