School and kindergarten attendance and home schooling of pediatric cancer patients before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: results of a survey of the German Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology

Arne Simon; Benjamin Siebald; Walther Stamm; Norbert Graf; Stephan Meier; Martin Schrappe; Andreas H Groll; Hans-Jürgen Laws; Thomas Lehrnbecher

doi:10.3205/dgkh000381

School and kindergarten attendance and home schooling of pediatric cancer patients before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: results of a survey of the German Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology

GMS Hyg Infect Control. 2021 Mar 5:16:Doc10. doi: 10.3205/dgkh000381. eCollection 2021.

Authors

Arne Simon¹, Benjamin Siebald², Walther Stamm³, Norbert Graf¹, Stephan Meier⁴, Martin Schrappe⁵, Andreas H Groll⁶, Hans-Jürgen Laws⁷, Thomas Lehrnbecher²

Affiliations

¹ Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Children's Hospital Medical Center, University Clinics, Homburg, Germany.
² Division for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University Hospital, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt, Germany.
³ Department of Pediatrics and Children's Cancer Research Center, TUM School of Medicine, Technical University of Munich, Kinderklinik München Schwabing, Munich, Germany.
⁴ Rehabilitation Center for Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Katharinenhöhe gGmbH, Schönwald, Germany.
⁵ Pediatrics I, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany.
⁶ Infectious Disease Research Program, Center for Bone Marrow Transplantation and Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, University Children's Hospital, Münster, Germany.
⁷ Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany.

Abstract
in English, German

In this multicenter survey (July 07 to August 08, 2020) in pediatric oncology centers (POCs) belonging to the German Society for Pediatric Oncology and Hematology (GPOH), 36 POCs participated (response rate 70.6%). Home schooling practice was judged as satisfying by 79% prior to and by 38% during the pandemic (P=0.0007). The individual risk of a SARS-CoV-2 infection and the risk of transmission to other patients/caregivers were arguments against attendance. Most POCs recommended regular social participation/school attendance after the end of intensive therapy. 81% stated that persisting restrictions result in serious negative psychosocial consequences for the patients and their families. In-hospital school education, home schooling and re-attendance of school and kindergarten among pediatric cancer patients have suffered a severe setback during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Continuous communication and education concerning protective measures as well as an individual risk assessment are required to avoid the detrimental exclusion of pediatric oncology patients from kindergarten and school.

An diesem multizentrischen Survey (7. Juli–8. August 2020) in pädiatrisch-onkologischen Zentren (POCs) der GPOH nahmen 36 POCs teil (Antwortrate 70,6%). Vor der Pandemie beurteilten 79%, während der Pandemie nur 38% den Hausunterricht als zufriedenstellend (P=.0007). Das individuelle Infektionsrisiko und das Risiko einer Übertragung auf andere Patienten oder medizinisches Personal waren die wichtigsten Argumente für soziale Distanzierung. Nach Ende der intensiven Therapie befürworten die meisten POCs einen regulären Schul- oder Kindergartenbesuch. 81% befürchten bei anhaltendem Ausschluss schwerwiegende psychosoziale Konsequenzen für die Patienten und ihre Familien. Die Auswirkungen der Pandemie auf die Edukation und soziale Teilhabe von Kindern mit Krebserkrankung sind gravierend. Kontinuierliche Information und Kommunikation über Präventionsmaßnahmen sowie eine individuelle Risikoanalyse sollten helfen, den Ausschluss während (Hausunterricht, Klinikschule) und nach (Kindergarten und Regelunterricht) einer Krebstherapie zu vermeiden.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; children with cancer; day care center; home schooling; infection prevention; school.

Abstract in English, German

Abstract
in English, German