Effects of COVID-19 on Pediatric Cancer Care: A Multicenter Study of 11 Middle Eastern Countries

Effects of COVID-19 on Pediatric Cancer Care: A Multicenter Study of 11 Middle Eastern Countries

Elzembely MM; Al Rawas A; Al-Hebshi A; Alhadi A; Ibrahim AK; Zein AA; Ragab I; Alshamsi ET; Dammag E; Gachi F; Zain GH; Mohammad HS; Haddad H; Boudiaf H; Alharbi I; Sultan I; Salami KH; Bayoumy MS; Al-Mulla NA; Al Mashaikhi N; Almajali RM; Farah R; Al Daama SA; Ahmad S; Ragab SM; Fadel SH; Ahmed S; Al-Sweedan S; Abdelmabood S; Kaleem WK; Madney Y

Journal of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology

2023

childhood cancer; article; cancer chemotherapy; human; Middle East; cancer palliative therapy; health care access; low income country; middle income country; health care availability; social status; cancer center; coronavirus disease 2019; pandemic; telemedicine; cancer radiotherapy; cancer therapy; cancer surgery; pediatric oncologist; high income country; drug shortage; emergency surgery; granulocyte colony stimulating factor/pv [Special Situation for Pharmacovigilance]; prophylaxis; social distancing; therapy delay

During the COVID-19 pandemic, major challenges are facing pediatric cancer centers regarding access to cancer centers, continuity of the anti-cancer therapy, hospital admission, and infection protection precautions. Pediatric oncologists actively treating children with cancer from 29 cancer centers at 11 countries were asked to answer a survey from May 2020 to August 2020 either directly or through the internet. COVID-19 pandemic affected the access to pediatric cancer care in the form of difficulty in reaching the center in 22 (75.9%) centers and affection of patients'flow in 21 (72.4%) centers. Health care professionals (HCP) were infected with COVID-19 in 20 (69%) surveyed centers. Eighteen centers (62%) modified the treatment guidelines. Care of follow-up patients was provided in-hospital in 8(27.6%) centers, through telemedicine in 10 (34.5%) centers, and just delayed in 11 (38%) centers. Pediatric oncologists had different expectations about the future effects of COVID-19 on pediatric cancer care. Seventy-six percent of pediatric oncologists think the COVID-19 pandemic will increase the use of telemedicine. Fifty-five percent of pediatric oncologists think if the COVID-19 pandemic persists, we will need to change chemotherapy protocols to less myelosuppressive ones. Collaborative studies are required to prioritize pediatric cancer management during COVID-19 era.Copyright © 2023 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.

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2023 SE5 - Low Resource Setting