Current concepts of bacteremia in children with malignancies

One hundred fifteen episodes of bacteremia occurred among 2790 children with malignancies hospitalized during a 45-month period. The mean age was 9.3 years with a male predilection (62%). A greater (p less than .025) number of children over 10 years of age died with bacteremia when compared to younger children. The majority of episodes occurred in children with leukemia (56%); however, once bacteremia developed, a significantly (p less than .05) greater number of children with lymphoma died when compared to children with other malignancies. Absolute polymorphonuclear leukocyte counts were greater in survivors (p less than .025) than in children who died. Thirty-seven different microorganisms were isolated with E. coli, S. Aureus, P. aeruginosa, and K. pneumoniae accounting for 50% of the episodes. Anaerobes were isolated from blood of 12 (10%) children. Twelve children had polymicrobial bacteremia and 14 had recurrent bacteremia which occurred during antibiotic therapy. Mortality (78%) in these children was significantly (p less than .001) greater then in children from whom one microorganism was isolated (47%). Interesting aspects include the resurgence of S. aureus, failure of development of meningitis in children with bacteremia, and unchanged antibiotic susceptibility since the last review of bacteremia in this institution. Polymicrobial and recurrent bacteremia necessitate obtaining simultaneous and sequential blood cultures to facilitate administration of appropriate antimicrobial therapy until bone marrow function improves.