Current issue
Accepted manuscript
About the Journal
Scientific Council
Editorial Board
Regulatory and archival policy
Code of publishing ethics
Publisher
Information about the processing of personal data in relation to cookies and newsletter subscription
Archive
For Authors
For Reviewers
Contact
Reviewers
Annals reviewers in 2025
Annals reviewers in 2024
Annals reviewers in 2023
Annals reviewers in 2022
Annals reviewers in 2021
Annals reviewers in 2020
Annals reviewers in 2019
Annals reviewers in 2018
Annals reviewers in 2017
Annals reviewers in 2016
Annals reviewers in 2015
Annals reviewers in 2014
Annals reviewers in 2013
Annals reviewers in 2012
Links
Sklep Wydawnictwa SUM
Biblioteka Główna SUM
Śląski Uniwersytet Medyczny w Katowicach
Privacy policy
Accessibility statement
Reviewers
Annals reviewers in 2025
Annals reviewers in 2024
Annals reviewers in 2023
Annals reviewers in 2022
Annals reviewers in 2021
Annals reviewers in 2020
Annals reviewers in 2019
Annals reviewers in 2018
Annals reviewers in 2017
Annals reviewers in 2016
Annals reviewers in 2015
Annals reviewers in 2014
Annals reviewers in 2013
Annals reviewers in 2012
The impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the course and prognosis of hematologic malignancies – a single-center experience
1
Students’ Scientific Club, Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
2
Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Faculty of Medical Sciences in Zabrze Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland
Corresponding author
Jakub Kołodziej
Studenckie Koło Naukowe, Katedra i Klinika Pediatrii, Hematologii i Onkologii Dziecięcej, ul. 3 Maja 13/15, 41-800 Zabrze, SPSK Nr 1 im. prof. S. Szyszko ŚUM
Studenckie Koło Naukowe, Katedra i Klinika Pediatrii, Hematologii i Onkologii Dziecięcej, ul. 3 Maja 13/15, 41-800 Zabrze, SPSK Nr 1 im. prof. S. Szyszko ŚUM
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Patients with hematologic malignancies are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 due to disease-related and treatment-induced immunosuppression. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical course and outcomes of pediatric patients with hematologic cancers who developed SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Material and methods:
Three pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies hospitalized at the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology in Zabrze between 2021 and 2023 were included. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by antigen or RT-PCR testing. Clinical course, laboratory findings, treatment, and outcomes were analyzed retrospectively.
Results:
All patients required temporary discontinuation of antineoplastic therapy due to COVID-19. Respiratory symptoms and hematologic abnormalities (lymphopenia, agranulocytosis) were common. Two patients developed cytokine release syndrome treated with tocilizumab. One child survived, while two died due to progression of the underlying malignancy after infection.
Conclusions:
SARS-CoV-2 infection in pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies can cause significant hematologic disturbances and treatment interruptions, potentially affecting prognosis. Individualized management and close cooperation between hematology and infectious disease teams are essential for optimal care.
Patients with hematologic malignancies are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 due to disease-related and treatment-induced immunosuppression. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical course and outcomes of pediatric patients with hematologic cancers who developed SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Material and methods:
Three pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies hospitalized at the Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology in Zabrze between 2021 and 2023 were included. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by antigen or RT-PCR testing. Clinical course, laboratory findings, treatment, and outcomes were analyzed retrospectively.
Results:
All patients required temporary discontinuation of antineoplastic therapy due to COVID-19. Respiratory symptoms and hematologic abnormalities (lymphopenia, agranulocytosis) were common. Two patients developed cytokine release syndrome treated with tocilizumab. One child survived, while two died due to progression of the underlying malignancy after infection.
Conclusions:
SARS-CoV-2 infection in pediatric patients with hematologic malignancies can cause significant hematologic disturbances and treatment interruptions, potentially affecting prognosis. Individualized management and close cooperation between hematology and infectious disease teams are essential for optimal care.
REFERENCES (34)
1.
Hu B, Guo H, Zhou P, Shi ZL. Characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 [published correction appears in Nat Rev Microbiol. 2022 May;20(5):315]. Nat Rev Microbiol. 2021;19(3):141–154. doi: 10.1038/s41579-020-00459-7.
2.
Ochani R, Asad A, Yasmin F, Shaikh S, Khalid H, Batra S, et al. COVID-19 pandemic: from origins to outcomes. A comprehensive review of viral pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnostic evaluation, and management. Infez Med. 2021;29(1):20–36.
3.
Koronawirus groźny dla pacjentów onkologicznych. Zwrotnikraka.pl. Dostęp 19.07.2023. https://www.zwrotnikraka.pl/ko....
4.
Balduzzi A, Brivio E, Rovelli A, Rizzari C, Gasperini S, Melzi ML, et al. Lessons after the early management of the COVID-19 outbreak in a pediatric transplant and hemato-oncology center embedded within a COVID-19 dedicated hospital in Lombardia, Italy. Estote parati. Bone Marrow Transplant. 2020;55(10):1900–1905. doi: 10.1038/s41409-020-0895-4.
5.
Hrusak O, Kalina T, Wolf J, Balduzzi A, Provenzi M, Rizzari C, et al. Flash survey on severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 infections in paediatric patients on anticancer treatment. Eur J Cancer. 2020;132:11–16. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2020.03.021.
6.
de Rojas T, Pérez-Martínez A, Cela E, Baragaño M, Galán V, Mata C, et al. COVID-19 infection in children and adolescents with cancer in Madrid. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2020;67(7):e28397. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28397.
7.
Dorantes-Acosta E, Ávila-Montiel D, Klünder-Klünder M, Juárez-Villegas L, Márquez-González H. Survival and Complications in Pediatric Patients With Cancer and COVID-19: A Meta-Analysis. Front Oncol. 2021;10:608282. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2020.608282.
8.
Gampel B, Troullioud Lucas AG, Broglie L, Gartrell-Corrado RD, Lee MT, Levine J, et al. COVID-19 disease in New York City pediatric hematology and oncology patients. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2020;67(9):e28420. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28420.
9.
Ahmad N, Essa MF, Sudairy R. Impact of Covid19 on a tertiary care pediatric oncology and stem cell transplant unit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2020;67(9):e28560. doi: 10.1002/pbc.28560.
10.
Nikolopoulou GB, Maltezou HC. COVID-19 in Children: Where do we Stand? Arch Med Res. 2022;53(1):1–8. doi: 10.1016/j.arcmed.2021.07.002.
11.
DeBiasi RL, Delaney M. Symptomatic and Asymptomatic Viral Shedding in Pediatric Patients Infected With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2): Under the Surface. JAMA Pediatr. 2021;175(1):16–18. doi: 10.1001/jamapediatrics.2020.3996.
12.
Hobbs CV, Drobeniuc J, Kittle T, Williams J, Byers P, Satheshkumar PS, et al. Estimated SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Among Persons Aged <18 Years - Mississippi, May-September 2020. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2021;70(9):312–315. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7009a4.
13.
Waterfield T, Watson C, Moore R, Ferris K, Tonry C, Watt A, et al. Seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in children: a prospective multicentre cohort study. Arch Dis Child. 2021;106(7):680–686. doi: 10.1136/archdischild-2020-320558.
14.
Poline J, Gaschignard J, Leblanc C, Madhi F, Foucaud E, Nattes E, et al. Systematic Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Screening at Hospital Admission in Children: A French Prospective Multicenter Study. Clin Infect Dis. 2021;72(12):2215–2217. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa1044.
15.
Götzinger F, Santiago-García B, Noguera-Julián A, Lanaspa M, Lancella L, Calò Carducci FI, et al. COVID-19 in children and adolescents in Europe: a multinational, multicentre cohort study. Lancet Child Adolesc Health. 2020;4(9):653–661. doi: 10.1016/S2352-4642(20)30177-2.
16.
Parri N, Magistà AM, Marchetti F, Cantoni B, Arrighini A, Romanengo M, et al. Characteristic of COVID-19 infection in pediatric patients: early findings from two Italian Pediatric Research Networks. Eur J Pediatr. 2020;179(8):1315–1323. doi: 10.1007/s00431-020-03683-8.
17.
King JA, Whitten TA, Bakal JA, McAlister FA. Symptoms associated with a positive result for a swab for SARS-CoV-2 infection among children in Alberta. CMAJ. 2021;193(1):E1–E9. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.202065.
18.
Parri N, Lenge M, Buonsenso D; Coronavirus Infection in Pediatric Emergency Departments (CONFIDENCE) Research Group. Children with Covid-19 in Pediatric Emergency Departments in Italy. N Engl J Med. 2020;383(2):187–190. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc2007617.
19.
Lu X, Zhang L, Du H, Zhang J, Li YY, Qu J, et al. SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Children. N Engl J Med. 2020;382(17):1663–1665. doi: 10.1056/NEJMc2005073.
20.
Maltezou HC, Magaziotou I, Dedoukou X, Eleftheriou E, Raftopoulos V, Michos A, et al. Children and Adolescents With SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Epidemiology, Clinical Course and Viral Loads. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2020;39(12):e388–e392. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000002899.
21.
Mak PQ, Chung KS, Wong JS, Shek CC, Kwan MY. Anosmia and Ageusia: Not an Uncommon Presentation of COVID-19 Infection in Children and Adolescents. Pediatr Infect Dis J. 2020;39(8):e199–e200. doi: 10.1097/INF.0000000000002718.
22.
Verma S, Lumba R, Dapul HM, Gold-von Simson G, Phoon CK, Lighter JL, et al. Characteristics of Hospitalized Children With SARS-CoV-2 in the New York City Metropolitan Area. Hosp Pediatr. 2021;11(1):71–78. doi: 10.1542/hpeds.2020-001917.
23.
Yuki K, Fujiogi M, Koutsogiannaki S. COVID-19 pathophysiology: A review. Clin Immunol. 2020;215:108427. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2020.108427.
24.
LaRovere KL, Riggs BJ, Poussaint TY, Young CC, Newhams MM, Maamari M, et al. Neurologic Involvement in Children and Adolescents Hospitalized in the United States for COVID-19 or Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome. JAMA Neurol. 2021;78(5):536–547. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2021.0504.
25.
McLendon LA, Rao CK, Da Hora CC, Islamovic F, Galan FN. Post-COVID-19 Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis in a 17-Month-Old. Pediatrics. 2021;147(6):e2020049678. doi: 10.1542/peds.2020-049678.
26.
Lara D, Young T, Del Toro K, Chan V, Ianiro C, Hunt K, et al. Acute Fulminant Myocarditis in a Pediatric Patient With COVID-19 Infection. Pediatrics. 2020;146(2):e20201509. doi: 10.1542/peds.2020-1509.
27.
Fernández Alcalde C, Granados Fernández M, Nieves Moreno M, Calvo Rey C, Falces Romero I, Noval Martín S. COVID-19 ocular findings in children: a case series. World J Pediatr. 2021;17(3):329–334. doi: 10.1007/s12519-021-00418-z.
28.
Samies NL, Pinninti S, James SH. Rhabdomyolysis and Acute Renal Failure in an Adolescent With Coronavirus Disease 2019. J Pediatric Infect Dis Soc. 2020;9(4):507–509. doi: 10.1093/jpids/piaa083.
29.
Feldstein LR, Rose EB, Horwitz SM, Collins JP, Newhams MM, Son MBF, et al. Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in U.S. Children and Adolescents. N Engl J Med. 2020;383(4):334–346. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa2021680.
30.
Abrams JY, Godfred-Cato SE, Oster ME, Chow EJ, Koumans EH, Bryant B, et al. Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children Associated with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2: A Systematic Review. J Pediatr. 2020;226:45–54.e1. doi: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.08.003.
31.
Troyanovska O, Dorosh O, Lytvyn H, Tsymbalyuk I, Vorobel O, Stepanyuk O, et al. Characteristics of COVID-19 in pediatric patients with hematological malignancies. Acta Haematol Pol. 2022;53(4):273–276. doi: 10.5603/AHP.a2022.0035.
32.
Li G, Hilgenfeld R, Whitley R, De Clercq E. Therapeutic strategies for COVID-19: progress and lessons learned. Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2023;22(6):449–475. doi: 10.1038/s41573-023-00672-y.
33.
Węcławek-Tompol J, Zakrzewska Z, Gryniewicz-Kwiatkowska O, Pierlejewski F, Bień E, Zaucha-Prażmo A, et al. COVID-19 in pediatric cancer patients is associated with treatment interruptions but not with short-term mortality: a Polish national study. J Hematol Oncol. 2021;14(1):163. Published 2021 Oct 11. doi: 10.1186/s13045-021-01181-4.
34.
Polish Ministry of Health. Wspólne wytyczne dla pacjentów z grupy 1B i personelu medycznego w zakresie szczepienia przeciwko COVID-19. Published 2021. Accessed August 12, 2025. https://www.gov.pl/web/zdrowie.
Share
RELATED ARTICLE
| eISSN: | 1734-025X |
The Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, as the Operator of the annales.sum.edu.pl website, processes personal data collected when visiting the website. The function of obtaining information about Users and their behavior is carried out by voluntarily entered information in forms, saving cookies in end devices, as well as by collecting web server logs, which are in the possession of the website Operator. Data, including cookies, are used to provide services in accordance with the Privacy policy.
You can consent to the processing of data for these purposes, refuse consent or access more detailed information.
You can consent to the processing of data for these purposes, refuse consent or access more detailed information.
