[Infections in children with cancer]

In 38 patients with acute lymphocytic leukemia and Hodgkin's disease 60 episodes of infection were registered showing the unquestionable increased susceptibility to infections in these cases. In 90% of the patients the infectious focus was localized and the pulmonary showed to be the most frequent. The etiology of the infection was established in 53% of the episodes and the bacterial, both gram-positive as gram-negative, showed the greatest frequency. In the second place came viral infections (measles and chicken-pox). Finally, two pathogenic agents, unusual in children without cancer were seen: Candida albicans and Pneumocystis carinii. Treatment was given according to the etiological agent. When it was not determined, methycillin-gentamicin was given and if the problem was pulmonary and response was not obtained within 4 to 6 days, trimetoprim-sulfametoxazole was chosen. Five children died as direct consequence of infection (13% of the patients), 2 of them (5%) without tumoral activity at that moment.