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Granulocyte Transfusion Therapy in Childhood
Elif Aktekin1, Ali Bay1, Mehmet Yılmaz2
1Division of Pediatric Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, Gaziantep University, Gaziantep, Turkey.
Insights
Granulocyte transfusions (GTs) are safe and effective for treating severe infections in pediatric patients with prolonged neutropenia. This study showed significant increases in neutrophil and platelet counts post-transfusion, improving clinical outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Pediatric Oncology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Infections remain a leading cause of death in pediatric patients with prolonged neutropenia following chemotherapy.
- Current broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents are insufficient to fully mitigate infection-related morbidity and mortality.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy and safety of granulocyte transfusions (GTs) in treating severe, life-threatening infections in pediatric patients experiencing febrile neutropenia.
- To assess the impact of GTs on neutrophil and platelet counts and clinical outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A study included 13 pediatric patients with high-risk febrile neutropenia who received a total of 24 GTs.
- Patient tolerance of GTs was monitored.
- Neutrophil and platelet counts were measured before and 24 hours after transfusion.
Main Results:
- Granulocyte transfusions were well-tolerated by all patients.
- A significant increase in neutrophil and platelet counts was observed 24 hours post-transfusion compared to baseline values.
- The study reported a 69.2% rate for both clinical response and hematologic response.
Conclusions:
- Granulocyte transfusions demonstrate safety and effectiveness in managing life-threatening infections in pediatric patients with neutropenia.
- Further randomized controlled trials with long-term follow-up are necessary to definitively establish the role of GTs in improving outcomes for neutropenic patients.
Abstract:
Despite the use of new broad-spectrum anti-bacterial and anti-fungal agents, infections still represent the major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with prolonged neutropenia after intensive chemotherapy. The aim of this study is to assess the effect and safety of granulocyte transfusions (GTs) for the treatment of severe life-threatening infections in pediatric patients with febrile neutropenia. In this study, 13 pediatric patients with high-risk febrile neutropenia, who received 24 GTs, were included. GTs were well tolerated in all patients. Upon 24 h post-transfusion, neutrophil and platelet counts increased significantly, when compared to the baseline values. The clinical response and hematologic response rates were 69.2 % respectively. In conclusion, GT is safe and effective in controlling life-threatening infections. Furthermore, randomized controlled studies with long-term follow-up are needed to assess the exact role of GT in the outcome of patients with neutropenia.
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History
The history of blood transfusion dates back to the 17th century, when early attempts were made in animals. In 1818 James Blundell, a British doctor, performed the first successful human blood transfusion. Later in 1900, Karl...