Journal of pediatric hematology/oncology
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J. Pediatr. Hematol. Oncol. · Nov 1999
Multicenter StudyInfections in children with cancer: a continued need for the comprehensive physical examination.
Few studies have addressed the influence of profound myelosuppressive therapy in contemporary protocols on infectious morbidity in pediatric oncology patients. This study evaluates the types of infections and the methods used to diagnose infection in patients enrolled in current Children's Cancer Group (CCG) protocols. Data were collected on patients enrolled in CCG protocols from January 1, 1992, through December 31, 1995. ⋯ However, infection-related mortality, especially with gram-negative organisms, occurs less frequently than does malignancy-related mortality. Common childhood infections (such as otitis media) seem equally as prevalent as bacteremia in pediatric oncology patients. Thus, a comprehensive physical examination is as imperative as the microbiologic evaluation in diagnosing infection in this patient population.