Pediatric hematology and oncology
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Pediatr Hematol Oncol · Apr 2006
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyExperience with cefepime versus meropenem as empiric monotherapy for neutropenia and fever in pediatric patients with solid tumors.
A prospective, open-label, randomized, comparative study in pediatric cancer patients was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of cefepime and meropenem in the empiric therapy of febrile neutropenic patients. Febrile episodes were classified as microbiologically documented infection, clinical documented infection, or fever of unknown origin. Clinical response to therapy was classified as success or failure. ⋯ There was no infection-related death. There were no statistical differences between the cefepime and meropenem groups for duration of fever or neutropenia, response rate, and necessity for modification. Cefepime appears to be as effective and safe as meropenem for empiric treatment of febrile episodes in neutropenic pediatric cancer patients.