Global effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric cancer care: a cross-sectional study

March 3, 2021

Dylan Graetz, Asya Agulnik, Radhikesh Ranadive, Yuvanesh Vedaraju, Yichen Chen, Guillermo Chantada, Monika L Metzger, Sheena Mukkada, Lisa M Force, Paola Friedrich, Catherine Lam, Elizabeth Sniderman, Nickhill Bhakta, Laila Hessissen, Rashmi Dalvi, Meenakshi Devidas, Kathy Pritchard-Jones, Carlos Rodriguez-Galindo, Daniel C Moreira

The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health

Graetz et al. conducted a cross-sectional study of 311 pediatric oncology providers from 213 institutions worldwide to assess the effects of the pandemic on healthcare delivery for children with cancer. The survey was conducted June 22 to August 21, 2020. The authors found that 7% of centers had closed their pediatric hematology-oncology services, 43% saw a decrease in reported pediatric cancer cases, and 34% of centers saw more treatments abandoned during the pandemic. There was also a reduction in surgical care, modifications to chemotherapy, blood shortages in clinics, and increased interruptions to radiotherapy. It is important to note that the sample primarily included centers in low- and middle-income countries, where treatment abandonment, inconsistent radiotherapy, and lack of chemotherapeutics were statistically significant. The researchers conclude the pandemic has negatively affected the delivery of care to children with cancer and suggest there needs to be a global response to help increase the standard of care for pediatric oncology.

Graetz D, Agulnik A, Ranadive R, et al. Global effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on paediatric cancer care: a cross-sectional study. Lancet Child Adolesc Heal 2021; published online March 3. DOI:10.1016/S2352-4642(21)00031-6.

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