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  • The impact of the COVID-19 ...
    Bandyopadhyay, Soham

    Neuro-oncology (Charlottesville, Va.), 10/2021, Letnik: 23, Številka: Supplement_4
    Journal Article

    Abstract Aims Paediatric cancer is a leading cause of non-communicable disease deaths for children worldwide, with more than 90% of deaths occurring in low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). The COVID-19 pandemic may have exacerbated disparities in paediatric cancer outcomes between LMICs and HICs. The World Health Organization (WHO) Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer has identified gliomas as a common cancer that can act as a benchmark for assessing global paediatric cancer care. This study aims to ascertain the short and medium-term outcome across 17 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic by determining 30- and 90-day all-cause mortality rates for paediatric glioma patients who underwent treatment. Method A multicentre, international, mixed- (retrospective and prospective), collaborative cohort study in 17 countries. Patients were recruited between March 12th 2020 and July 12th 2020. Results 129 patients were recruited with the majority being histologically diagnosed as low-grade gliomas (n = 86/118, 72.9%). Seven children had a change to their planned chemotherapy treatment because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Similarly, seven children and eleven children had a change to their planned radiotherapy treatment and surgical treatment respectively because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Five patients died within the 30-day follow-up period, with all five patients being in LMICs. A sixth child, also in a LMIC, died within the 90-day follow-up period. This significant difference in mortality between LMICs and HICs was present when controlling for confounding for factors such as grade, ASA status, sex, weight, and age. Conclusion There has been relatively minimal change to the treatment of paediatric gliomas worldwide compared to their initial planned care. There was a significant difference in mortality for childhood gliomas between LMICS and high-income countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. There needs to be a concerted effort to improve equity in health outcomes globally.