The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the future incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children: projections for Germany under a COVID-19 related scenario

In a new modelling study, researchers from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and partner institutions in Germany project that COVID-19-related lockdown measures such as the closure of childcare facilities could have an impact on the future incidence rates of childhood leukaemia in Germany. The projected impact would be due to reduced social contacts and insufficient immunological training in the very youngest children, or infection with SARS-CoV-2. The projections have been published as a Letter to the Editor in the International Journal of Cancer.

The model suggests that 6.4% of all of cases of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia occurring in children aged 2–6 years in Germany in 2020–2024 might be attributable to the lockdown measures preventing the child’s immune system from being adequately trained.

If these projections prove accurate, the authors hope that the careful comparison between countries where the percentage of children infected with SARS-CoV-2 differs significantly will provide new and compelling ideas on how to prevent acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children.

Schüz J, Borkhardt A, Bouaoun L, Erdmann F.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the future incidence of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children: projections for Germany under a COVID-19 related scenario
Int J Cancer, Published online 7 March 2022;
https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.33992

Read the article