6 research outputs found
Chemical analysis of the sex pheromone glands of Thaumetopoca bonjeani (Powel) (Lep. Thaumetopoeidae)
International audienc
Defoliation by processionary moth significantly reduces tree growth: a quantitative review
Assessing residual stresses in friction stir welding: neutron diffraction and nanoindentation methods
Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on pediatric oncology care in the Middle East, North Africa, and West Asia Region: A report from the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean (POEM) Group
Background Childhood cancer is a highly curable disease when timely
diagnosis and appropriate therapy are provided. A negative impact of the
coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on access to care for
children with cancer is likely but has not been evaluated. METHODS A
34-item survey focusing on barriers to pediatric oncology management
during the COVID-19 pandemic was distributed to heads of pediatric
oncology units within the Pediatric Oncology East and Mediterranean
(POEM) collaborative group, from the Middle East, North Africa, and West
Asia. Responses were collected on April 11 through 22, 2020.
Corresponding rates of proven COVID-19 cases and deaths were retrieved
from the World Health Organization database. Results In total, 34
centers from 19 countries participated. Almost all centers applied
guidelines to optimize resource utilization and safety, including
delaying off-treatment visits, rotating and reducing staff, and
implementing social distancing, hand hygiene measures, and personal
protective equipment use. Essential treatments, including chemotherapy,
surgery, and radiation therapy, were delayed in 29\% to 44\% of centers,
and 24\% of centers restricted acceptance of new patients. Clinical care
delivery was reported as negatively affected in 28\% of centers. Greater
than 70\% of centers reported shortages in blood products, and 47\% to
62\% reported interruptions in surgery and radiation as well as
medication shortages. However, bed availability was affected in <30\% of
centers, reflecting the low rates of COVID-19 hospitalizations in the
corresponding countries at the time of the survey. Conclusions
Mechanisms to approach childhood cancer treatment delivery during crises
need to be re-evaluated, because treatment interruptions and delays are
expected to affect patient outcomes in this otherwise largely curable
disease