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Epidemiology and prevention strategies of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pediatric hematology and oncology centers in Poland
Affiliations- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University Toruń, Bydgoszcz, Poland
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Institute of Pediatrics, Jagiellonian University Collegium Medicum, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Transplantology, University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
- Department of Pediatric Stem Cell Transplantation, Hematology and Oncology, Medical University, Wrocław, Poland
- Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Diabetology, Medical University, Łódź, Poland
- Department of Oncology, Children's Memorial Health Institute, Warszawa, Poland
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Białystok
- Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, Medical University, Białystok, Poland
- Department of Pediatrics, Hematology and Oncology, Medical University of Warsaw
- Department of Pediatric Hematology, Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
- Department of Oncology and Surgical Oncology for Children and Youth, Institute of Mother and Child, Warszawa, Poland
- Department of Pediatric Hemato-Oncology and Gastroenterology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
- Department of Pediatric, Oncology and Immunology, Pomeranian Medical University, Szczecin, Poland
- Department of Pediatric Oncohematology, Rzeszów University, Rzeszów, Poland
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children Hospital, Olsztyn, Poland
- Division of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Chemotherapy, Department of Pediatric, Silesian Medical University, Katowice, Poland
- Division of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Chorzów Pediatric and Oncology Center, Chorzów, Poland
- Department of Clinical Immunology and Transplantology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, University Children's Hospital in Kraków, Kraków, Poland
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
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Abstract
Introduction
Epidemiological analysis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in pediatric hematology and oncology (PHO) and hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) centers in a Polish nationwide study, as well as analysis of the preventive strategies in these centers.
Methods
All of the 18 PHO/HCT centers participated in eight surveys and questionnaires conducted over the first 5 months of the SARS-CoV-2/coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Poland. Epidemiological data were collected at eight regular time points, and the strategy of preventive management was done once after 4 months of the pandemic.
Results
During this analyzed period, eight patients were positive for SARS-CoV-2. The estimated incidence of SARS-CoV-2 positivity in Polish PHO/HCT centers was 0.5%. After exclusion of HCT patients (with one patient being infected), the estimated incidence of SARSCoV-2 positivity was between 0.5 and 0.6%. In all but one case, the course of COVID-19 was asymptomatic or mild, and it was moderate in one case. None of them developed SARS or respiratory insufficiency, none of them required treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU), and no patient died due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. As of July 1, parents staying in the hospital together with their children were regularly tested for the virus in 13 centers. Asymptomatic healthcare personnel were regularly tested for the virus in seven centers.
Conclusions
The estimated incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among PHO/HCT patients is lower than in Western Europe; however, these patients cannot be regarded as a low-risk group. The low COVID-19 incidence should be interpreted as a result of strictly and continuously implemented detailed preventive measures in the PHO/HCT wards and in hospitals.
Abstract
Introduction
Epidemiological analysis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections in pediatric hematology and oncology (PHO) and hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) centers in a Polish nationwide study, as well as analysis of the preventive strategies in these centers.
Methods
All of the 18 PHO/HCT centers participated in eight surveys and questionnaires conducted over the first 5 months of the SARS-CoV-2/coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Poland. Epidemiological data were collected at eight regular time points, and the strategy of preventive management was done once after 4 months of the pandemic.
Results
During this analyzed period, eight patients were positive for SARS-CoV-2. The estimated incidence of SARS-CoV-2 positivity in Polish PHO/HCT centers was 0.5%. After exclusion of HCT patients (with one patient being infected), the estimated incidence of SARSCoV-2 positivity was between 0.5 and 0.6%. In all but one case, the course of COVID-19 was asymptomatic or mild, and it was moderate in one case. None of them developed SARS or respiratory insufficiency, none of them required treatment in the intensive care unit (ICU), and no patient died due to SARS-CoV-2 infection. As of July 1, parents staying in the hospital together with their children were regularly tested for the virus in 13 centers. Asymptomatic healthcare personnel were regularly tested for the virus in seven centers.
Conclusions
The estimated incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among PHO/HCT patients is lower than in Western Europe; however, these patients cannot be regarded as a low-risk group. The low COVID-19 incidence should be interpreted as a result of strictly and continuously implemented detailed preventive measures in the PHO/HCT wards and in hospitals.
Keywords
pediatric oncology; children; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; epidemiology; outcome
About this articleTitle
Epidemiology and prevention strategies of SARS-CoV-2 infection in pediatric hematology and oncology centers in Poland
Journal
Issue
Pages
253-257
Published online
2020-12-01
Page views
321
Article views/downloads
322
DOI
10.2478/ahp-2020-0043
Bibliographic record
Acta Haematol Pol 2020;51(4):253-257.
Keywords
pediatric oncology
children
SARS-CoV-2
COVID-19
epidemiology
outcome
Authors
Jan Styczyński
Walentyna Balwierz
Jacek Wachowiak
Krzysztof Kałwak
Bernarda Kazanowska
Wojciech Młynarski
Bożenna Dembowska-Bagińska
Michał Matysiak
Maryna Krawczuk-Rybak
Elżbieta Adamkiewicz-Drożyńska
Jerzy Kowalczyk
Anna Raciborska
Tomasz Urasiński
Jarosław Peregud-Pogorzelski
Radosław Chaber
Wanda Badowska
Grażyna Karolczyk
Agnieszka Mizia-Malarz
Katarzyna Machnik
Jolanta Goździk
Mariusz Wysocki
Tomasz Szczepański