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COVID-19

COVID-19 Mortality Risks in Pediatric Oncology Revealed in New Research

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A study published in the Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy has shed light on the increased mortality rates among pediatric oncology patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research, conducted at Cairo University, investigates the predictors of mortality in children with cancer who contract COVID-19. The study found that solid tumors, ICU admission, moderate/severe COVID-19, lymphopenia, high neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and high C-reactive protein-to-lymphocyte ratio (CLR) are risk factors associated with higher mortality rates in pediatric oncology patients.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that 81.7% of pediatric cancer patients with COVID-19 survived for 60 days, while 18.3% did not.
  • Solid tumors were associated with worse outcomes, with a mortality rate of 28.6% (p-value = 0.002).
  • ICU admission was also a risk factor for mortality, with a mortality rate of 36.4% (p-value = 0.025).
  • Lymphopenia, high NLR, and high CLR were independent factors for lower overall survival (OS) in children with COVID-19 (p-values = 0.003, 0.046, and 0.046, respectively).
  • Bacteremia was found in 40% of COVID-19 patients and was associated with higher rates of ICU admission, fever, and elevated CRP (p-values = 0.007, 0.038, and 0.025, respectively).
  • The study concluded that infection severity, Gram-negative bacteria, and patient condition significantly influence outcomes of bacteremia cancer patients.

Statistics:

  • 60 pediatric cancer patients with COVID-19 were included in the study.
  • 24 COVID-19 patients (40%) had bacteremia.
  • 18.3% of pediatric oncology patients with COVID-19 did not survive for 60 days.
  • 28.6% of pediatric oncology patients with solid tumors died (p-value = 0.002).
  • 36.4% of pediatric oncology patients with ICU admission died (p-value = 0.025).

Sources:

  • Cairo University Reports Findings in COVID-19 (Unraveling mortality risks in pediatric oncology: Exploring bloodstream coinfections and inflammatory biomarkers in COVID-19). Pediatrics Week. June 21, 2025; p 2.
  • Unraveling mortality risks in pediatric oncology: Exploring bloodstream coinfections and inflammatory biomarkers in COVID-19. Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy, 2025;31(7):102741.

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