Report of pediatric patients with cancer and COVID-19: a case series from the MAHAK Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center, Tehran, Iran

Background: Iran has greatly suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic. Iranian children with cancer are especially vulnerable; therefore, we describe the care of patients with COVID-19 who received treatment at the MAHAK Pediatric Cancer Treatment and Research Center (MPCTRC) in Tehran. Patients and Methods: Children who experienced SARS-CoV-2 infections from March 18 to May 18, 2020, were enrolled in the study. Because of specific challenges diagnosing SARS-CoV-2 infections with molecular testing in Iran, the diagnostic criteria at MPCTRC were based on imaging and clinical presentation. We divided the patients into inpatient and outpatient cohorts according to the treatment they received and collected demographic, diagnostic, treatment, and outcome data. Molecular testing was developed locally and performed at centers other than MPCTRC. Results: Eleven patients (outpatient, n = 7) with a mean age of 9.2 years were enrolled in the trial. The most common cancer diagnoses were brain tumors (n = 4) and leukemias (n = 3). Eight patients had mild COVID-19 symptoms, and three were asymptomatic. Molecular testing of SARS-CoV-2 infections was performed for six patients, and all were negative. Only one child died of COVID-19. Discussion: In our small case series, mild COVID-19 symptoms did not appear to affect the outcomes of pediatric patients with cancer. Quality assurance of locally developed molecular testing of SARS-CoV-2 infections should also be considered.