Risk factors for bacteremia in children with febrile neutropenia

Authors: SONER SERTAN KARA, HASAN TEZER, MELTEM POLAT, BURCU CEYLAN CURA YAYLA, TUĞBA BEDİR DEMİRDAĞ, ARZU OKUR, ALİ FETTAH, SALİHA KANIK YÜKSEK, ANIL TAPISIZ, ZUHRE KAYA, NAMIK ÖZBEK, İDİL YENİCESU, HÜSNİYE NEŞE YARALI, ÜLKER KOÇAK

Abstract: Background/aim: Bacteremia remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality during febrile neutropenia (FN) episodes. We aimed to define the risk factors for bacteremia in febrile neutropenic children with hemato-oncological malignancies. Materials and methods: The records of 150 patients aged ?18 years who developed FN in hematology and oncology clinics were retrospectively evaluated. Patients with bacteremia were compared to patients with negative blood cultures.Results: The mean age of the patients was 7.5 ± 4.8 years. Leukemia was more prevalent than solid tumors (61.3% vs. 38.7%). Bacteremia was present in 23.3% of the patients. Coagulase-negative staphylococci were the most frequently isolated microorganism. Leukopenia, severe neutropenia, positive peripheral blood and central line cultures during the previous 3 months, presence of a central line, previous FN episode(s), hypotension, tachycardia, and tachypnea were found to be risk factors for bacteremia. Positive central line cultures during the previous 3 months and presence of previous FN episode(s) were shown to increase bacteremia risk by 2.4-fold and 2.5-fold, respectively.Conclusion: Presence of a bacterial growth in central line cultures during the previous 3 months and presence of any previous FN episode(s) were shown to increase bacteremia risk by 2.4-fold and 2.5-fold, respectively. These factors can predict bacteremia in children with FN.

Keywords: Bacteremia, children, febrile neutropenia, risk factor

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