Serious medical complications in children with cancer and fever in chemotherapy-induced neutropenia: Results of the prospective multicenter SPOG 2003 FN study

• Published in: Pediatric blood & cancer 2012-07, Vol.59 (1), p.90-95
• Main Authors: Lüthi, Fabienne, Leibundgut, Kurt, Niggli, Felix K., Nadal, David, Aebi, Christoph, Bodmer, Nicole, Ammann, Roland A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - administration & dosage; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols - adverse effects; cancer; Child; Child, Preschool; children; death; Disease-Free Survival; Female; Fever - chemically induced; Fever - mortality; fever and neutropenia; Germany; Humans; intensive care unit; Intensive Care Units; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute - drug therapy; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute - mortality; life-threatening complication; Male; Neutropenia - chemically induced; Neutropenia - mortality; Prospective Studies; Survival Rate; Switzerland
• ISSN: 1545-5009; 1545-5017
• DOI: 10.1002/pbc.23277

Background Fever and chemotherapy‐induced neutropenia (FN) is the most frequent potentially lethal complication of therapy in children with cancer. This study aimed to describe serious medical complications (SMC) in children with FN regarding incidence, clinical spectrum, and associated characteristics. Procedure Pediatric patients presenting with FN induced by non‐myeloablative chemotherapy were observed in a prospective multicenter study. SMC was defined as potentially life‐threatening complication (PLTC), transfer to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), or death. Results A total of 443 FN episodes were reported from 8 centers. Of these, 411 episodes were reported from 4 centers recruiting consecutively and without bias regarding the risk of complications. They were used for calculation of proportions. An SMC was reported in 23 episodes [5.6%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 3.7–8.1], usually defined by more than one criterion. These were PLTC in 13 episodes, PICU in 22, and death in 3 (mortality, 0.7%; 95% CI: 0.2–2.1). Both a delayed onset of SMC (14 of 23 episodes, 61%) and a biphasic clinical course (11 of 23, 48%) were frequently observed. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, 4 characteristics were significantly and independently associated with the risk of SMC: diagnosis of acute myeloid leukemia, interval since chemotherapy ≤7 days, severely reduced general condition, and hemoglobin ≥9.0 g/dl at presentation. Conclusions In children with FN, SMC were rare, and mortality was very low. Those with SMC often had a delayed onset and biphasic clinical course with secondary deterioration. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 59: 90–95. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.