Infections in children with malignant disease in Argentina

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Oncology
• Infectious Diseases
• Hematology

Background:

• Children with malignant diseases are susceptible to infections.
• Fever is a common complication in this patient population.
• Understanding the etiology of fever is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To prospectively evaluate febrile episodes in children with malignant diseases.
• To identify the common causes and pathogens of infection.
• To assess the outcomes and mortality associated with febrile episodes.

Main Methods:

• Prospective evaluation of 102 febrile episodes in 68 children with various cancers over six months.
• Microbiologic (bacterial, viral, fungal) and clinical assessments were performed.
• Analysis of common diagnoses, causative agents, and treatment responses.

Main Results:

• Bacterial infections were the most frequent cause (71% etiologically documented), with Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Streptococcus pyogenes as primary isolates.
• Pneumonia, cellulitis, pharyngitis, and varicella were common diagnoses.
• Severe neutropenia occurred in 39.2% of cases; overall mortality was 7%.

Conclusions:

• Infections are a significant cause of morbidity in pediatric cancer patients.
• Bacterial infections, particularly by S. aureus, E. coli, and S. pyogenes, are predominant.
• Effective management leads to favorable outcomes with low mortality.