Outcomes of COVID-19 in children with cancer – Report from the Indian Pediatric Oncology Group (InPOG) COVID-19 registry in India

Supportive care in paediatric oncology during the pandemic: Lessons from a nationwide survey in India

“…[1][2][3][4][5] Most paediatric oncology units modified treatment protocols and actively triaged patients in order to prioritize care to the neediest. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] In India, the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a strict lockdown from end-March 2020 to end-May 2020, with a considerable impact on the delivery of oncology services in India. 7,8 The earliest modification in patient care was triaging of patients, especially with regard to post-treatment surveillance and follow-up of survivors of childhood cancer.…”

“…Additionally, emerging data from individual centres as well as a national paediatric oncology COVID-19 registry showed that most children with COVID-19 infection were asymptomatic or had mild symptoms, with fewer deaths being attributed to the infection than were originally expected. 6,7 While the second wave of COVID-19 from February to June 2021 was more severe than the first wave, cancer centres across the country were more experienced and better prepared to deal with the consequences. 6 While the experiences of paediatric oncology centres across India and the outcomes of children with cancer and COVID-19 have been documented, 4,6,7 it is not known whether the modifications in treatment protocols and supportive care regimens are sustainable.…”

“…6,7 While the second wave of COVID-19 from February to June 2021 was more severe than the first wave, cancer centres across the country were more experienced and better prepared to deal with the consequences. 6 While the experiences of paediatric oncology centres across India and the outcomes of children with cancer and COVID-19 have been documented, 4,6,7 it is not known whether the modifications in treatment protocols and supportive care regimens are sustainable. 9,10 We, therefore, conducted a survey among practicing paediatric oncologists in India to assess the modifications made in supportive care during the pandemic, specifically if any of those were safe and effective enough to be practice-changing in the long term.…”

Impact of COVID19 on children with blood and cancer disorders

“…In this special issue focussed on COVID19 in PHO we have been able to get first glimpse of Pan-India impact of COVID19 on children with cancer ( 3 ). Of the 659 children with cancer diagnosed with COVID19, 30 died (4.5%), however only 7 of the deaths were directly attributed to COVID-19 infection (1%).…”

“…They recovered with observation only and did not require any intervention. The number of children that presented with symptoms were 124/659 (18.8%) ( 3 ). Its commendable that despite all the hurdles due to pandemic cancer care for children continued and most children stayed well.…”