Evaluation of predictors of adverse outcome in febrile neutropenic episodes in pediatric oncology patients.

OBJECTIVES: To identify predictors associated with adverse outcome in febrile neutropenic episodes among pediatric oncology patients between 1 and 18 y age, to ascertain the prevalence of invasive bacterial or fungal infection/mortality, to determine the common organisms causing invasive bacterial infection in children with febrile neutropenia and to evaluate their current antimicrobial sensitivity pattern.

METHODS: It was an observational descriptive study conducted between February 2009 through July 2010. Febrile neutropenic episodes satisfying the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Relevant history was taken followed by a detailed clinical examination and laboratory examination. Logistic Regression analysis was used to identify significant predictors of adverse outcome in febrile neutropenic episodes.

RESULTS: Out of the 155 febrile neutropenic episodes studied, adverse outcome occurred in 53(34 %) of the episodes. History of three or more previous episodes of febrile neutropenia, child being already on oral antibiotics and Chest Radiograph abnormality at presentation were found to be significantly associated with adverse outcome on multivariate logistic regression analysis. Documented invasive bacterial and fungal infection was seen in 27.8 % and 14.2 % episodes. Mortality occurred in 8 (5 %) of episodes. Gram negative bacterial infections were more common. Most common bacteria isolated was Escherichia coli and the commonest gram positive organism isolated was Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA).

CONCLUSIONS: On multivariate analysis, the variables found to be significantly associated with adverse outcome in febrile neutropenic episodes were three or more previous episodes of febrile neutropenia, child being already on oral antibiotics and Chest Radioraph abnormality at presentation.