Impact of COVID-19 Related Restrictions on Infections in Children with Cancer or after Hematopoietic SCT.
Klin Padiatr
; 235(3): 159-166, 2023 May.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2262434
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Infections are a major concern for immunocompromised children. We investigated whether non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) implemented in the general population during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Germany had an impact on frequency, type and severity of infections in these patients. PATIENTS ANDMETHODS:
We analyzed all admissions to the clinic of pediatric hematology, oncology and stem cell transplantation (SCT) with (suspected) infection or fever of unknown origin (FUO) from 2018 to 2021.RESULTS:
We compared a 27-month period before NPIs (Pre-COVID 01/2018-03/2020; 1041 cases) with a 12-month period with underlying NPIs (COVID 04/2020-03/2021; 420 cases). During the COVID period the number of in-patient stays with FUO or infections decreased (38,6 cases/month vs. 35,0 cases/month), the median duration of hospital stays was longer (8 d (CI95 7-8 d) vs. 9 d (CI95 8-10 d) P=0,02)), the mean number of antibiotics per case increased (2,1 (CI95 2,0-2,2) vs. 2,5 (CI95 2,3-2,7); P=0,003)) and a substantial reduction of viral respiratory and gastrointestinal infections per case was seen (0,24 vs. 0,13; P<0,001). Notably, there was no detection of respiratory syncytial virus, influenza and norovirus, between May 2020 and March 2021. Based on need of intensive care measures and further parameters we conclude that severe (bacterial) infections were not significantly reduced by NPIs.CONCLUSIONS:
Introduction of NPIs in the general population during the COVID-pandemic substantially reduced viral respiratory and gastrointestinal infections in immunocompromised patients, while severe (bacterial) infections were not prevented.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Respiratory Tract Infections
/
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
/
COVID-19
/
Neoplasms
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Child
/
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Klin Padiatr
Year:
2023
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
A-2000-5388
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