PriMera Scientific Medicine and Public Health (ISSN: 2833-5627)

Research Article

Volume 4 Issue 6

The Management of a Pandemic within a Moroccan Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Department the Example of Coronavirus Disease 2019

O Assem*, N Soraa and JEL Houdzi

May 29, 2024

View PDF

Abstract

Introduction: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a complete upheaval of healthcare systems across the world. As children with cancer are considered to be at greater risk, the organization of oncological care had to be adapted.

Objective: We report our strategy in the face of the Delta wave of COVID-19 within our establishment, describing the measures put in place to limit its transmission while ensuring the continuation of anti-cancer treatments. We also present the main epidemiological, clinical and para-clinical characteristics as well as the outcome of our patients.

Materials and methods: This is a prospective study descriptive spread over three months from August 1, 2021 to October 31, 2021, concerning all children with cancer and diagnosed positive for SARS-CoV-2 infection, hospitalized or followed in the day hospital of the pediatric hemato-oncology department of the Hospital Center University of Marrakech. We collected 15 patients.

Results: The average age of our patients was 6 and 6 years. The underlying cancer was acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 5 cases (33.3%), neuroblastoma in 4 cases (26.7%), osteosarcoma and lymphoma in 2 patients (13.3%). Patients were symptomatic in 68.75% of cases. The main clinical signs were fever in 67% of cases, cough and rhinorrhea in 34%. The inflammatory syndrome was present in two thirds of cases, there was lymphopenia in 38.46%, and anemia in half of the cases. Severe forms represented 6.6% of cases. All of our patients benefited from geographic isolation with application of hygienic rules. Azithromycin was used in all our patients for 5 days. The Chemotherapy was postponed with a delay of 1 week in patients with cytopenia (53.3 The evolution was favorable in 14 children and we noted the death of a single case presenting post-chemotherapy aplasia.

Conclusion: Children with cancer are more vulnerable to pandemic infectious diseases. Therefore, we must take all preventive measures to ensure adequate care.

Keywords: Child; Cancer; Chemotherapy; COVID-19; PCR; Prevention

Reference

  1. El-Shakankery KH, Kefas J and Crusz SM. “Caring for our cancer patients in the wake of COVID19”. Br J Cancer 123 (2020): 3-4.
  2. WHO COVID-19 - Timeline of WHO action [Internet].
  3. Chan JF-W., et al. “A familial cluster of pneumonia associated with the 2019 novel coronavirus indicating person-to-person transmission: a study of a family cluster”. The Lancet 395.10223 (2020): 514-23.
  4. Rawat M., et al. “COVID-19 in Newborns and Infants—Low Risk of Severe Disease: Silver Lining or Dark Cloud?”. Am J Perinatol 37.8 (2020): 845-9.
  5. Davenne E, Giot JB and Huynen P. “Coronavirus and COVID-19: focus on a galloping pandemic”. Rev Med Liege 75.4 (2020): 218-25.
  6. RECOVERY Collaborative Group, Horby P., et al. “Dexamethasone in hospitalized patients with Covid-19 - preliminary report”. N Engl J Med (2020).
  7. Charlotte Fenioux Yves Allenbach., et al. “Comparison of characteristics and prognoses of patients with and without active cancer hospitalized for SARS-CoV-2 infection”. Bull Cancer (2020).
  8. Maxime Frelaut., et al. “First wave COVID-19: experience of a cancer center”. Bull Cancer (2020).
  9. Sharpless NE. “COVID-19 and cancer”. Science 368.6497 (2020): 1290.
  10. Wise J. “COVID-19: cancer mortality could rise at least 20% because of pandemic, study finds”. BMJ 369 (2020): m1735.