Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Murine Model of Leukemia Relapse to Induction Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
08:31

Murine Model of Leukemia Relapse to Induction Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Published on: October 17, 2025

697

Antibacterial prophylaxis in pediatric patients with leukemia

Suha Al Omar1, Deema Moumani1, Rawad Rihani2

  • 1Department of Clinical Pharmacy, King Hussain Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan.

Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal : SPJ : the Official Publication of the Saudi Pharmaceutical Society
|September 12, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Antibacterial prophylaxis is recommended for pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and during intensive chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Ciprofloxacin is often used for ALL patients to prevent bacterial infections.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Pediatric leukemia patients face high risks of morbidity and mortality from bacterial infections.
  • Limited recommendations exist for antibacterial prophylaxis in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) or acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the role and optimal regimen of antibacterial prophylaxis in pediatric leukemia patients.
  • To identify safe and effective antibacterial prophylactic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • A comprehensive literature search was performed by three independent reviewers.
  • Studies focusing on the safety and efficacy of antibacterial prophylactic regimens were included.

Main Results:

  • The review identified 13 studies, predominantly observational.
  • Antibiotics covering Gram-positive bacteria are recommended for AML patients.
  • For ALL patients, prophylaxis during intensive chemotherapy, often with ciprofloxacin, is suggested.

Conclusions:

  • Antibacterial prophylaxis targeting Gram-positive bacteria is advised for pediatric AML.
  • Prophylaxis with agents like ciprofloxacin may be considered for high-risk ALL patients during intensive chemotherapy.
  • Further research is necessary to fully elucidate the role of antibacterial prophylaxis in pediatric leukemia.
Abstract

Keywords:
AntibioticsInfectionLeukemiaPediatricsProphylaxis

More Related Videos

In Ovo Xenografting of Patient-Derived Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Cells (PDX-ALL)06:48

In Ovo Xenografting of Patient-Derived Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) Cells (PDX-ALL)

Published on: August 1, 2025

535
Flow Cytometry to Estimate Leukemia Stem Cells in Primary Acute Myeloid Leukemia and in Patient-derived-xenografts, at Diagnosis and Follow Up09:01

Flow Cytometry to Estimate Leukemia Stem Cells in Primary Acute Myeloid Leukemia and in Patient-derived-xenografts, at Diagnosis and Follow Up

Published on: March 26, 2018

14.8K

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
266
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution01:17

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Distribution

Drug distribution in the pediatric population exhibits unique challenges and considerations due to the physiological differences between children, particularly neonates and infants, and adults. A crucial aspect of pediatric pharmacology is understanding how these differences impact the pharmacokinetics of various drugs, necessitating age-specific dosing strategies to ensure efficacy and safety.Neonates and infants have a higher total body water content, ~75%–90% of their body weight,...
314
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
236
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
305
Patient-centered Care01:13

Patient-centered Care

Patient-centered care involves delivering care beyond inpatient hospitalization. Reflective practice can enhance a patient-centered approach. Reflective practice is a process of reasoning that considers all aspects of the present situation, including practicalities, learning from personal practice, and consideration of patient needs. Patients appreciate care decisions made while considering their input. Involving the patient in their care provides the patient with a sense of contribution rather...
3.1K
Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients01:15

Drug Dosing: Geriatric Patients

Elderly individuals encompass a diverse population with varying degrees of age-related physiological changes. Defining the elderly presents challenges, as the geriatric population is often arbitrarily categorized as individuals older than 65. However, many individuals in this group lead active and healthy lives, with an increasing number surpassing 85 years and falling into the older elderly category. Physiological changes associated with aging impact performance capacity and homeostatic...
278