Febrile neutropenia in childhood cancer

Abstract

There have been major advances in the treatment of and outcomes in childhood cancer. Improved outcomes have largely been achieved by more intensive and toxic treatment regimens, including cytotoxic chemotherapy,¹ radiotherapy and/or surgery. Chemotherapy-induced immunosuppression renders children who receive treatment for cancer extremely vulnerable to lifethreatening infections, which are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Prompt and aggressive intervention with empiric antibiotics has reduced mortality in this group of patients.