Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation During the Era of COVID-19 in Queen Rania Children's Hospital

Parents' experiences of living with a child with cancer undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a qualitative content analysis study

Objectives

Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) profoundly impacts the physical, psychological, and social aspects of parents' lives. Thus, this study aimed to explore the experiences of parents living with a child with cancer who undergoes HSCT.

Methods

This qualitative study involved 20 parents of children with cancer who were undergoing HSCT at a referral hospital in Iran. Purposive sampling was used to select the participants from February 2023 to November 2023. In-depth semi-structured interviews, featuring open-ended questions, were utilized for data collection. Data analysis was performed using conventional content analysis.

Results

Data analysis revealed two main themes. "Surrounded by hardships" and "Self-actualization." The first theme encompassed participants' experiences of facing difficulties in life after being aware of their child's need for HSCT. This theme consisted of four categories: "uncertainty about the child's future," "exhaustion from the child's treatment process," "worrying about the healthy child(ren)," and "helplessness." The second theme "self-actualization" included with two categories: "transformation in life's philosophy" and "acquisition of new capabilities." These categories highlighted the positive outcomes experienced by the participants following their child's HSCT.

Conclusion

Our findings underscore the importance of healthcare providers being attuned to parents' experiences throughout their child's HSCT trajectory. It is crucial for healthcare providers to encourage parents to articulate their concerns and feelings and seek support from healthcare providers, family, and friends. The development of psychological support services in healthcare settings can facilitate tailored interventions to alleviate parents' difficulties.

Manifestations of COVID-19 infection in children with malignancy: A single-center experience in Jordan

BACKGROUND

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been the cause of a global health crisis since the end of 2019. All countries are following the guidelines and re-commendations released by the World Health Organization to decrease the spread of the disease. Children account for only 3%-5% of COVID-19 cases. Few data are available regarding the clinical course, disease severity, and mode of treatment in children with malignancy and COVID-19.

AIM

To evaluate the treatment plan and outcome of children with malignancy who contracted COVID-19.

METHODS

A retrospective study of the medical files of patients with malignancy who contracted COVID-19 between July 2020 and June 2021 was performed. The following data were reviewed for all patients: primary disease, laboratory data, admission ward, clinical status upon admission, disease course, treatment plan, and outcome. Eligible patients were those with malignancy who tested positive for COVID-19 by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

A total of 40 patients who had malignancy contracted COVID-19 from July 1, 2020 to June 1, 2021. Their primary diseases were as follows: 34 patients (85%) had hematological malignancies (30 had acute lymphoblastic leukemia, 2 had acute myeloblastic leukemia, and 2 had Hodgkin lymphoma), whereas 6 patients (15%) had solid tumors (2 had neuroblastoma, 2 had rhabdomyosarcoma, and 2 had central nervous system tumors). Twelve patients (30%) did not need hospitalization and underwent home isolation only, whereas twenty-eight patients (70%) required hospitalization (26 patients were admitted in the COVID-19 ward and 2 were admitted in the pediatric intensive care unit).

CONCLUSION

COVID-19 with malignancy in the pediatric age group has a benign course and does not increase the risk of having severe infection compared to other children.