Retrospective evaluation of febrile neutropenia episodes in childhood acute leukemias

Retrospective Evaluation of Febrile Neutropenia Episodes in Childhood Acute LeukemiasAcute leukemia is the most common cancer in childhood and is one of the most common causes of death. Febrile neutropenia remains a serious and important complication in leukemia and other neutropenic patients, with high mortality and often leading to delay and or suspension of much needed chemotherapy protocols. This is due in part to the ever-emerging new and potent chemotherapeutic agents, which, while bringing the primary disease under control, also lead to severe and prolonged suppression of the bone marrow.The aim of this study is to evaluate the frequency, risk factors and epidemiology of bacteremia of febrile neutropenia episodes in childhood acute leukemias in Children Hospital of Dicle University Faculty of Medicine Hematology and Oncolog Department between 2008 and 2011.In this study, we evaluated 260 febrile neutropenia episodes in 50 pediatric leukemia cases with empiric antibiotherapy regimens, antibiyotic modifications, culture results, treatment period and mortality retrospectively. One hundred and fifty five (59,6 % ) episodes were microbiologically and/or clinically documented infections. During febrile neutropenia episodes, 19,2 % of patients had bacteremia. Of isolated microorganisms, 52 % gram positive, 24 % gram negative, 14 % fungal pathogens. Six patients (12 % ) died during a febrile neutropenia episode.In conclusion, monitorization for the epidemiology of bacteremia and prediction of significant factors associated with bacteremia in febrile neutropenic patients are considered to be important for the choice of initial antibiotic therapy.Key words: Febrile neutropenia, acute leukemia, children.