Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 15, 2025

A Controlled Mouse Model for Neonatal Polymicrobial Sepsis
14:54

A Controlled Mouse Model for Neonatal Polymicrobial Sepsis

Published on: January 27, 2019

11.3K

Sepsis in Pediatric Cancer: Does Gender Matter? A 20-Year Retrospective Study

Andreas Meryk1, Gabriele Kropshofer1, Caroline Bargehr1

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020, Innsbruck, Austria.

Infectious Diseases and Therapy
|October 25, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Boys with cancer face a higher risk of bloodstream infections (BSIs) after initial therapy. This study highlights gender-specific differences in BSI incidence and bacterial strains in pediatric cancer patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Medical Research

Background:

  • Gender influences disease incidence and outcomes.
  • No prior studies investigated sex differences in bloodstream infections (BSIs) among pediatric cancer patients.
  • This research addresses the gap in understanding gender-specific risk factors for BSIs in this vulnerable population.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify potential gender-specific risk factors for bloodstream infections (BSIs) in pediatric cancer patients.
  • To analyze sex differences in the prevalence and causative agents of BSIs.
  • To inform targeted prevention and management strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 621 pediatric cancer patients treated between January 2000 and June 2018.
  • Follow-up included central venous access device (CVAD) monitoring for up to one year post-placement.
  • Gender-specific BSI prevalence and bacterial strains were calculated and compared.

Main Results:

  • Of 621 patients, 110 developed 134 BSIs; boys represented a higher proportion of BSI cases (62.7%).
  • BSI incidence was similar in the first 3 months, but significantly increased in boys thereafter (34% vs. 21%, P=0.025).
  • Gram-positive bacteria were nearly twice as common in boys' BSIs compared to girls' (56.5% vs. 29.8%).

Conclusions:

  • Boys with cancer exhibit a higher risk of developing BSIs, particularly those caused by gram-positive bacteria, after the initial treatment phase.
  • Increased clinical awareness regarding hygiene-related BSIs in boys is recommended.
  • Findings suggest potential areas for targeted interventions to improve BSI prevention in male pediatric cancer patients.
Abstract

Keywords:
BSIChildhood cancerSex disparity

More Related Videos

Cecal Ligation Puncture Procedure11:53

Cecal Ligation Puncture Procedure

Published on: May 7, 2011

55.4K
Design of Cecal Ligation and Puncture and Intranasal Infection Dual Model of Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression07:30

Design of Cecal Ligation and Puncture and Intranasal Infection Dual Model of Sepsis-Induced Immunosuppression

Published on: June 15, 2019

10.2K

Related Concept Videos

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection01:26

Factors Affecting the Risk of Infection

The hosts' susceptibility to infection depends on several factors. The integrity of the skin and mucous membranes helps protect the body against microbial attacks. When the skin is altered, the chance of infection, limb loss, and even death increases.
The integrity and count of the white blood cells help the body resist pathogens and fight infection. When impaired, it reduces the body's resistance to pathogens. The acidic pH levels of the gastrointestinal, genitourinary tracts, and skin...
12.8K
Cancer Survival Analysis01:21

Cancer Survival Analysis

Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
479
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,...
29
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...
33
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...
25
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...
23