Predicting bacteremia in children with cancer and fever in chemotherapy-induced neutropenia: results of the prospective multicenter SPOG 2003 FN study

External validation of a multivariable prediction model for identification of pneumonia and other serious bacterial infections in febrile immunocompromised children

OBJECTIVE

To externally validate and update the Feverkids tool clinical prediction model for differentiating bacterial pneumonia and other serious bacterial infections (SBIs) from non-SBI causes of fever in immunocompromised children.

DESIGN

International, multicentre, prospective observational study embedded in PErsonalised Risk assessment in Febrile illness to Optimise Real-life Management across the European Union (PERFORM).

SETTING

Fifteen teaching hospitals in nine European countries.

PARTICIPANTS

Febrile immunocompromised children aged 0-18 years.

METHODS

The Feverkids clinical prediction model predicted the probability of bacterial pneumonia, other SBI or no SBI. Model discrimination, calibration and diagnostic performance at different risk thresholds were assessed. The model was then re-fitted and updated.

RESULTS

Of 558 episodes, 21 had bacterial pneumonia, 104 other SBI and 433 no SBI. Discrimination was 0.83 (95% CI 0.71 to 0.90) for bacterial pneumonia, with moderate calibration and 0.67 (0.61 to 0.72) for other SBIs, with poor calibration. After model re-fitting, discrimination improved to 0.88 (0.79 to 0.96) and 0.71 (0.65 to 0.76) and calibration improved. Predicted risk <1% ruled out bacterial pneumonia with sensitivity 0.95 (0.86 to 1.00) and negative likelihood ratio (LR) 0.09 (0.00 to 0.32). Predicted risk >10% ruled in bacterial pneumonia with specificity 0.91 (0.88 to 0.94) and positive LR 6.51 (3.71 to 10.3). Predicted risk <10% ruled out other SBIs with sensitivity 0.92 (0.87 to 0.97) and negative LR 0.32 (0.13 to 0.57). Predicted risk >30% ruled in other SBIs with specificity 0.89 (0.86 to 0.92) and positive LR 2.86 (1.91 to 4.25).

CONCLUSION

Discrimination and calibration were good for bacterial pneumonia but poorer for other SBIs. The rule-out thresholds have the potential to reduce unnecessary investigations and antibiotics in this high-risk group.

Phenotypic and Genotypic Characterization of Methicillin Resistance in Staphylococci Isolated from an Egyptian University Hospital

Methicillin-resistant in Staphylococci is a serious public health issue. It is mostly encoded by the mecA gene. The mecC gene is a new mecA analog responsible for resistance to methicillin in some Staphylococcal clinical isolates. This mecC gene is still underestimated in Egypt. The aim of the current study was to detect mecA and mecC genes in clinical Staphylococci isolates from a tertiary care university hospital in Egypt compared to the different phenotypic methods. A total of 118 Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and 43 coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CoNS) were identified from various hospital-acquired infections. Methicillin resistance was identified genotypically using the PCR technique and phenotypically using the cefoxitin disc diffusion test, oxacillin broth microdilution and the VITEK2 system in all Staphylococcal isolates. The mecA gene was detected in 82.2% of S. aureus and 95.3% of CoNS isolates, while all of the isolates tested negative for the mecC gene. Interestingly, 30.2% of CoNS isolates showed the unique character of inducible oxacillin resistance, being mecA-positive but oxacillin-susceptible (OS-CoNS). The dual use of genotypic and phenotypic methods is highly recommended to avoid missing any genetically divergent strains.

Does age play a role in fever and neutropenia events and complications: A comparison of adolescents versus younger children with cancer at a tertiary care pediatric hospital, a pilot project

BACKGROUND

Adolescents and young adults with cancer (AYA) are a complex group of patients. The development of fever and neutropenia (FN) is a potentially lethal complication of chemotherapy. Risk stratification of patients with FN has become increasingly valuable allowing for early intervention and to guide treatment type and duration appropriately. There are risk stratification guidelines that exist, but most are validated in young children with cancer (YCWC). AYA are frequently shown to have more numerous and severe side effects from chemotherapy.

AIMS

This study aimed to identify whether age contributes to the incidence and severity of FN.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Patients diagnosed with a malignancy in a 5-year period at our institution were included from ages 0-18 years. We reviewed details of their FN events, including duration of hospital admission, source (bacterial/fungal), PICU admission and duration, positive blood cultures and mortality. Adolescents with cancer (AWC) had a trend of being 1.56 times more likely to have FN events (CI 95% 0.936-2.622, p = 0.087). Assessment of the duration of PICU stay showed that AWC were 4.9 times more likely to have longer admissions (CI 95% 0.998-24.067, p = 0.050). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the rate of PICU admission, positive cultures, identification of a bacterial or fungal source, hospital admission duration or mortality from FN.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated a trend towards AWC being more likely to develop FN events. When such events occur in this group, the severity of them may be heightened as evidenced by longer duration of PICU admission.

Infectious events in pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma undergoing evaluation for fever without severe neutropenia

BACKGROUND

Infections cause significant treatment-related morbidity during pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (ALL/LLy) therapy. Fevers during periods without severe neutropenia are common, but etiologies are not well-described. This study sought to describe the bloodstream infection (BSI) and non-BSI risk in children undergoing therapy for ALL/LLy.

METHODS

Demographic and clinical data were abstracted for febrile episodes without severe neutropenia at two children's hospitals. Treatment courses were stratified by intensity. Multivariate logistic regression evaluated characteristics associated with infection.

RESULTS

There were 1591 febrile episodes experienced by 524 patients. Of these, 536 (34%) episodes had ≥1 infection; BSI occurred in 30 (1.9%) episodes. No BSIs occurred in episodes with a recent procedural sedation or cytarabine exposure. Presence of hypotension, chills/rigors, higher temperature, and infant phenotype were independently associated with BSI (p < .05). Of the 572 non-BSIs, the most common was upper respiratory infection (URI) (n = 381, 67%). Compared to episodes without infection, URI symptoms, higher temperature, absolute neutrophil count 500-999/μl, and evaluation during a low-intensity treatment course were more likely to be associated with a non-BSI (p < .05) and inpatient status was less likely to be associated with a non-BSI (p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

The BSI rate in pediatric patients with ALL/LLy and fever without severe neutropenia is low, but one-third of the time, patients have a non-BSI. Future research should test if the need for empiric antibiotics can be tailored based on the associations identified in this study.

Predictors of Septic Shock or Bacteremia in Children Experiencing Febrile Neutropenia Post-Chemotherapy

BACKGROUND

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is an early indicator of infection in oncology patients post-chemotherapy. We aimed to determine clinical predictors of septic shock and/or bacteremia in pediatric cancer patients experiencing FN and to create a model that classifies patients as low-risk for these outcomes.

METHODS

This is a retrospective analysis with clinical data of a cohort of pediatric oncology patients admitted during July 2015 to September 2017 with FN. One FN episode per patient was randomly selected. Statistical analyses include distribution analysis, hypothesis testing, and multivariate logistic regression to determine clinical feature association with outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 865 episodes of FN occurred in 429 subjects. In the 404 sampled episodes that were analyzed, 20.8% experienced outcomes of septic shock and/or bacteremia. Gram-negative bacteria count for 70% of bacteremias. Features with statistically significant influence in predicting these outcomes were hematological malignancy (P < .001), cancer relapse (P = .011), platelet count (P = .004), and age (P = .023). The multivariate logistic regression model achieves AUROC = 0.66 (95% CI 0.56-0.76). The optimal classification threshold achieves sensitivity = 0.96, specificity = 0.33, PPV = 0.40, and NPV = 0.95.

CONCLUSIONS

This model, based on simple clinical variables, can be used to identify patients at low-risk of septic shock and/or bacteremia. The model's NPV of 95% satisfies the priority to avoid discharging patients at high-risk for adverse infection outcomes. The model will require further validation on a prospective population.

A Dynamic Approach for Early Risk Prediction of Gram-Negative Bloodstream Infection and Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome in Febrile Pediatric Hemato-Oncology Patients

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of C-Reactive Protein (CRP), Procalcitonin (PCT), and Interleukine 6 (IL6) biomarkers in predicting the existence of high-risk episodes (HRE) during the first 24 h of fever in pediatric cancer patients. HRE were defined as the presence of Gram-negative bloodstream infections or Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome. Methods: The study included 103 consecutive fever episodes in 44 hemato-oncological pediatric patients, from whom samples for biomarkers were taken upon initial evaluation (CRP-1, PCT-1 and IL6-1) and then between 12 and 24 h afterward (CRP-2, PCT-2 and IL6-2). Results: An IL6-1 value higher than 164 pg/mL showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.890 (0.791−0.989) and OR of 48.68 (7.92−951.42, p < 0.001) to detect HRE in multivariate analysis. A PCT-1 higher than 0.32 ng/mL showed an AUC of 0.805 (0.700−0.910) and OR of 4.55 (0.90−27.84, p = 0.076). A PCT-2 higher than 0.94 ng/mL showed an AUC of 0.836 (0.725−0.947) and OR of 13.01 (1.82−149.13, p = 0.018), and an increase in CRP between the first and second sample (CRP-2vs1) higher than 291% also showed an AUC of 0.785 (0.655−0.915) and OR of 31.09 (4.87−355.33, p = 0.001). Conclusions: IL6-1, PCT-2, and CRP-2vs1 showed a strong and independent correlation with HREs in pediatric cancer patients. CRP variations over the first 24 h provide an improvement in predictive models that are especially useful if IL-6 and PCT are not available.

Life-threatening infections during treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia on the Malaysia-Singapore 2003 and 2010 clinical trials: A risk prediction model

AIM

Life-threatening infections significantly impact the care of children undergoing therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who are at risk of severe sepsis due to both host and treatment factors. Our aim was to develop a life-threatening infection risk prediction model that would allow remote rapid triage of patients to reduce time to first dose of antibiotics and sepsis-related mortality.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of 2068 fever episodes during ALL therapy was used for model building and subsequent internal validation.

RESULTS

Three hundred and seventy-seven patients were treated for ALL in two institutions with comparable critical and supportive care resources. A total of 55 patients accounted for 71 admissions to the critical care unit for sepsis that led to eight septic deaths during a 16-year study period. A retrospective analysis of risk factors for sepsis enabled us to build a model focused on 13 variables that discriminated admissions requiring critical care well: area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of .82; 95% CI .76-.87, p<.001, and Brier score of .033. Significant univariate predictors included neutropenia, presence of symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever during induction or steroid-based phases, and the lack of any localizing source of infection at time of presentation.

CONCLUSION

We have developed a risk prediction model that can reliably identify ALL patients undergoing treatment who are at a higher risk of life-threatening sepsis. Clinical applicability can potentially be extended to low-middle income settings, and its utility should be further studied in real-world settings.

Patient Outcomes With Febrile Neutropenia Based on Time to Antibiotics in the Emergency Department

OBJECTIVE

Although bacteremia in pediatric oncology patients with febrile neutropenia (FN) is not uncommon, sepsis and mortality are rare. Because of the lack of clinically meaningful decision tools to identify high-risk patients with bacteremia, time to antibiotic administration (TTA) is increasingly considered an important quality and safety measure in the emergency department. Because little evidence exists suggesting that this benchmark is beneficial, we sought to determine whether TTA of 60 minutes or less is associated with improved outcomes.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed patients presenting to a pediatric emergency department with FN from November 2013 to June 2016. Clinical outcomes including mortality, pediatric intensive care unit admission, imaging, fluid resuscitation of 40 mL/kg or greater in the first 24 hours, and length of stay were compared between TTA of 60 minutes or less and more than 60 minutes.

RESULTS

One hundred seventy-nine episodes of FN were analyzed. The median TTA was 76 minutes (interquartile range, 58-105). The incidence of bacteremia was higher in patients with TTA of more than 60 minutes (12% vs 2%, P = 0.04), but without impact on mortality, pediatric intensive care unit admission, fluid resuscitation, or median length of stay. The median TTA was not different for those who were and were not bacteremic (91 vs 73 minutes, P = 0.11).

CONCLUSIONS

Time to antibiotic administration of more than 60 minutes did not increase mortality in pediatric oncology patients with FN. Our study adds to the existing literature that TTA of 60 minutes or less does not seem to improve outcomes in pediatric FN. Further larger studies are required to confirm these findings and determine which features predispose pediatric FN patients to morbidity and mortality.

Bloodstream infection in pediatric patients with febrile neutropenia induced by chemotherapy

INTRODUCTION

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a serious complication of cancer chemotherapy. The present study aimed to identify risk factors for documented infection in pediatric patients with FN and cancer.

METHODS

This prospective cohort study included patients under 18 years from 2016 to 2018. Infection was defined according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 172 febrile neutropenic episodes were evaluated. From univariate analysis, the risk factors were: female gender; monocyte count < 100 cell/mm³, platelets < 50,000, C-reactive protein (CRP) > 90 mg/dl and hemoglobin < 7mg/dl at the onset of an episode; two or more episodes of FN, and; fever onset; positive blood culture at the fever onset. Independent risk factors according to the multivariate analysis were: CRP at the onset of a febrile episode > 90mg/dl, fever onset and first blood culture with a positive result. The lowest probability of infection was related to first episode and to platelets > 50,000 at the onset of fever.

CONCLUSION

A CRP > 90 at the onset of a febrile episode, platelets < 50,000, second episode or more, first fever episode during hospitalization and positive first blood culture were found to be associated with a higher risk of infection and they could be useful for the establishment of risk scores for infection in neutropenic children.

Clinical Characteristics and Predictive Factors of Invasive Fungal Disease in Pediatric Oncology Patients with Febrile Neutropenia in a Country with Limited Resources

Background

The most common complication among pediatric oncology patients is febrile neutropenia (FN). Invasive fungal disease (IFD) is suspected when fever persists >4–7 days after empirical antibiotics. Its clinical characteristics and predictive factors associated with IFD among pediatric oncology patients with FN were thus explored.

Methods

Pediatric oncology patients with FN between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2016 were enrolled in this study. Clinical characteristics, including laboratory investigations, treatment modalities, and final outcomes of IFD were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed.

Results

In all, 73 patients with 180 episodes of confirmed diagnosis of FN were studied. Median age at diagnosis was 6.2 years, with equal sex distribution. The most common diagnosis was acute lymphoblastic leukemia (n=91, 51%), followed by acute myeloid leukemia (n=47, 26%), Burkitt’s lymphoma (n=7, 4%) and neuroblastoma (n=7, 4%). Median absolute neutrophil count at FN diagnosis was 0 (0–806) cells/mm³. IFD was diagnosed for 25 (14%) episodes. Mortality rates for FN and IFD were 4% and 20%, respectively. Respiratory compromise, oxygen requirement, hypotension, prolonged hospitalization, duration of fever and neutropenia, bacteremia, bacteriuria, funguria, abnormal liver-function results, and prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotic administration were factors associated with IFD (P<0.05). Prolonged duration between initiation of fever and antifungal administration for nearly 10 days was an independent factor in prediction of IFD occurrence (P=0.014).

Conclusion

Respiratory compromise, oxygen requirement, hypotension, prolonged hospitalization, duration of fever and neutropenia, bacteremia, bacteriuria, funguria, abnormal liver-function results and prolonged broad-spectrum antibiotic administration were factors associated with IFD. Duration between initiation of fever and antifungal administration of nearly 10 days were considered a risk factors of IFD among patients with FN.

IRB Reference Number

IRBRTA 825/2560.

Infectious Morbidity in Pediatric Patients Receiving Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy for Sarcoma

Simple Summary

Infections are an important cause of morbidity and mortality in childhood cancer treatment. The aim of our retrospective study was to assess the infectious burden in pediatric sarcoma patients during neoadjuvant chemotherapy administered according to the EWING 2008, CWS SoTiSaR and EURAMOS clinical trial or registry. Our analyses indicate a substantial infectious morbidity in this group of patients, with 58.8% experiencing at least one episode of febrile neutropenia (FN) and 20.6% at least one microbiologically documented infection (MDI). We also identified parameters that impact on the occurrence of FN and MDIs, including treatment protocol, patient age, and mucositis. These findings may contribute to a better risk stratification for prevention and management of FN and infections as well as for maintaining quality of life, cost control, and optimum outcomes of anticancer treatment.

Abstract

The purpose of this retrospective, single-center cohort study was to assess the infectious burden in pediatric sarcoma patients during neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The review included all patients with a new diagnosis of Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma or soft tissue sarcoma between September 2009 and December 2018 who were enrolled in the EWING 2008, CWS SoTiSaR and EURAMOS clinical trial or registry. Primary endpoints were the occurrence of febrile neutropenia (FN) and microbiologically documented infection (MDI). Parameters with a potential impact on FN and MDI were also analyzed. A total of 170 sarcoma patients (median age: 13 years, range: 0–21; 96 m/74 f) received 948 chemotherapy courses (median: 6; range: 2–8). Of these patients, 58.8% had ≥1 FN episode and 20.6% ≥ 1 MDI. FN occurred in 272/948 courses (28.7%) with fever of unknown origin (FUO) in 231 courses and 45 MDI and 19 clinically documented infections (CDI) occurring in a total of 57 courses. Patients enrolled in EWING 2008 had significantly more FN (p < 0.001), infections (p = 0.02) and MDI (p = 0.035). No infection-related deaths were observed. Younger age, tumor type and localization, and higher median and maximum mucositis grades were significantly associated with higher numbers of FN (p < 0.001), and younger age (p = 0.024) and higher median mucositis grade (p = 0.017) with MDI. The study shows substantial infectious morbidity in sarcoma patients during neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment and opportunities to improve prevention and management.

Shivering has little diagnostic value in diagnosing serious bacterial infection in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Early diagnosis of serious bacterial infections (SBI) is important for improving outcome of morbidity and mortality in children. A systematic review was conducted to examine if shivering had any value in diagnosing serious bacterial infection. We split our population (0-18 years old) into two categories depending on the presence of a known malignancy. The databases of Medline, Embase, Cinahl, and Web of Science were searched from inception until July 2019. The quality was assessed with the QUADAS-2 tool. Two by two tables were created, extracting the number of true positive (TP), true negative (TN), false positive (FP), and false negative (FN) regarding shivering and SBI, by 2 authors independently. Sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratios, and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated using the MetaDATA Shiny app. In a population with known malignancy, we found a +LR of 3.47 (95% CI 2.58-4.36) for a serious bacterial infection when shivering was present, implying an increase of 25-30% possibility for a serious bacterial infection. In children without malignancy, diagnostic accuracy of shivering was poor.Conclusion: Shivering is of limited use to diagnose serious bacterial infection in children without malignancy. Nevertheless, in children with known malignancy, it can be useful as an alarm signal. What is Known: • In the NICE guidelines for febrile illness in children, "shivering" is considered as an intermediate risk factor ("amber" sign) for a serious illness. • A systematic literature search conducted in 2007 investigating the correlation between shivering in a febrile child and the presence of a serious bacterial infection could include only one study. What is New: • Based on the results of this systematic review, shivering has little diagnostic value in children without malignancy but can be useful as an alarm sign of serious bacterial infection in children with known malignancy. • In case of absence of shivering, serious bacterial infection cannot be ruled out.

Infections in Children With Cancer: The Role of the Presence or Absence of Neutropenia

BACKGROUND

Infections in patients with cancer are a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In most cases, the presence of neutropenia renders them prone to infections to either common or opportunistic pathogens. A wide spectrum of bacterial, viral, or fungal agents is encountered in these patients.

AIM

The aim of this study was to evaluate infection types and pathogens in pediatric patients with cancer with and without neutropenia.

METHODS

A total of 37 pediatric patients with cancer (median age ± 25% quartile, 6.0 ± 2.0% years) with 70 febrile episodes were evaluated at fever's onset and 48 hours later with complete blood count, C-reactive protein, cultures of biological fluids, polymerase chain reaction, and antibody titers.

RESULTS

Of 70 infections, 30 (42.85%) were bacterial, 13 (18.57%) were viral, 3 (4.28%) were fungal, 16 (22.85%) were fever of unknown origin, 18 (25.71%) were opportunistic, and 12 (17.14%) were mixed infections. Neutropenia was detected in 42 (60.0%) of 70 febrile episodes, mainly in patients with hematological malignancies [odds ratio, 2.81 (0.96-8.22); P = 0.059]. Neutropenic patients had higher prevalence of mucocutaneous infections (47.6% vs 7.14%; P = 0.004). Herpes simplex virus 1 infections occurred only in the neutropenic group (14.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with cancer exhibited a high prevalence of bacterial (42.85%), opportunistic (25.7%), and mixed infections (17.14%). Patients with hematological malignancies and neutropenia presented higher frequency of mucocutaneous and herpes simplex virus 1 infections than the nonneutropenic ones.

Improving management of fever in neutropenic children with cancer across multiple sites

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of a clinical pathway in achieving antibiotic administration in less than 60 minutes for children with cancer, presenting with fever and neutropenia. Secondary objectives were to determine association between time to antibiotics (TTA) and other variables including fever duration, location of care and intravenous access types.

METHODS

Following introduction of the clinical pathway, we collected prospective data about management of all cases that did and did not use the pathway across multiple sites over 16 months. A follow-up audit was conducted after 12 months.

RESULTS

We evaluated a total of 453 presentations. Use of the clinical pathway was significantly associated with achieving TTA in less than 60 minutes (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.56-0.85, p = <0.001). Despite varying use of the pathway over time, the median time to antibiotics was achieved in both the initial study period (57 minutes) and sustained at follow-up (60 minutes). TTA was also associated with types of intravenous access device and location of care and with length of stay. We did not find any association between TTA and any other variables.

CONCLUSION

Clinical pathways improve fever management in this patient cohort. Ongoing education and auditing to identify factors which impact processes of care are necessary.

The Italian consensus conference on the role of rehabilitation for children and adolescents with leukemia, central nervous system, and bone tumors, part 1: Review of the conference and presentation of consensus statements on rehabilitative evaluation of motor aspects

Because of increasing survival rates in pediatric oncology, attention is focusing on cancer and its treatment-related side effects. Rehabilitation may reduce their impact. However, the literature does not provide strong evidence regarding rehabilitation pathways. Therefore, the Italian Association of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology organized a consensus conference on the role of rehabilitation of motor impairments in children/adolescents affected by leukemia, central nervous system, and bone tumors to define recommendations for daily practice. The grading of recommendation assessment, developing and evaluation (GRADE) method was used in order to formulate questions, select outcomes, evaluate evidence, and create recommendations. This paper includes the results on the rehabilitation assessment.

Re-evaluating and recalibrating predictors of bacterial infection in children with cancer and febrile neutropenia

BACKGROUND

Numerous paediatric febrile neutropenia (FN) clinical decision rules (CDRs) have been derived. Validation studies show reduced performance in external settings. We evaluated the association between variables common across published FN CDRs and bacterial infection and recalibrated existing CDRs using these data.

METHODS

Prospective data from the Australian-PICNICC study which enrolled 858 FN episodes in children with cancer were used. Variables shown to be significant predictors of infection or adverse outcome in >1 CDR were analysed using multivariable logistic regression. Recalibration included re-evaluation of beta-coefficients (logistic model) or recursive-partition analysis (tree-based models).

FINDINGS

Twenty-five unique variables were identified across 17 FN CDRs. Fourteen were included in >1 CDR and 10 were analysed in our dataset. On univariate analysis, location, temperature, hypotension, rigors, severely unwell and decreasing platelets, white cell count, neutrophil count and monocyte count were significantly associated with bacterial infection. On multivariable analysis, decreasing platelets, increasing temperature and the appearance of being clinically unwell remained significantly associated. Five rules were recalibrated. Across all rules, recalibration increased the AUC-ROC and low-risk yield as compared to non-recalibrated data. For the SPOG-adverse event CDR, recalibration also increased sensitivity and specificity and external validation showed reproducibility.

INTERPRETATION

Degree of marrow suppression (low platelets), features of inflammation (temperature) and clinical judgement (severely unwell) have been consistently shown to predict infection in children with FN. Recalibration of existing CDRs is a novel way to improve diagnostic performance of CDRs and maintain relevance over time.

FUNDING

National Health and Medical Research Council Grant (APP1104527).

Risk stratification in children with cancer and febrile neutropenia: A national, prospective, multicentre validation of nine clinical decision rules

BACKGROUND

Reduced intensity treatment of low-risk febrile neutropenia (FN) in children with cancer is safe and improves quality of life. Identifying children with low-risk FN using a validated risk stratification strategy is recommended. This study prospectively validated nine FN clinical decision rules (CDRs) designed to predict infection or adverse outcome.

METHODS

Data were collected on consecutive FN episodes in this multicentre, prospective validation study. The reproducibility and discriminatory ability of each CDR in the validation cohort was compared to the derivation dataset and details of missed outcomes were reported.

FINDINGS

There were 858 FN episodes in 462 patients from eight hospitals included. Bacteraemia occurred in 111 (12·9%) and a non-bacteraemia microbiological documented infection in 185 (21·6%). Eight CDRs exhibited reproducibility and sensitivity ranged from 64% to 96%. Rules that had >85% sensitivity in predicting outcomes classified few patients (<20%) as low risk. For three CDRs predicting a composite outcome of any bacterial or viral infection, the sensitivity and discriminatory ability improved for prediction of bacterial infection alone. Across all CDRs designed to be implemented at FN presentation, the sensitivity improved at day 2 assessment.

INTERPRETATION

While reproducibility was observed in eight out of the nine CDRs, no rule perfectly differentiated between children with FN at high or low risk of infection. This is in keeping with other validation studies and highlights the need for additional safeguards against missed infections or adverse outcomes before implementation can be considered.

Outcomes of observation without empiric intravenous antibiotics in febrile, nonneutropenic pediatric oncology patients

There are no consensus guidelines for management of pediatric oncology patients presenting with fever and nonneutropenia, with limited research into the outcomes of withholding empiric i.v. antibiotics. We conducted a prospective cohort study assessing the safety and efficacy of observing well-appearing patients presenting with fever and nonneutropenia (absolute neutrophil count ≥ 500 cells/mm³ ). Of 238 episodes, 82.7% patients were observed with no infectious complications and low overall incidence of bacteremia (3.4%). There were no significant differences in individual clinical variables. We propose that observation alone in some well-appearing febrile pediatric oncology patients is safe and limits the use of unnecessary empiric antibiotics.

Episodes of fever in neutropenia in pediatric patients with cancer in Bern, Switzerland, 1993-2012

Fever in neutropenia (FN) is the most frequent potentially life threatening complication of chemotherapy for cancer. Prediction of the risk to develop complications, integrated into clinical decision rules, would allow for risk-stratified treatment of FN. This retrospective, single center cohort study in pediatric patients diagnosed with cancer before 17 years, covered two decades, 1993 to 2012. In total, 703 FN episodes in 291 patients with chemotherapy (maximum per patient, 9) were reported here. Twenty-nine characteristics of FN were collected: 6 were patient- and cancer-related, 8 were characteristics of history, 8 of clinical examination, and 7 laboratory results in peripheral blood, all known at FN diagnosis. In total 28 FN outcomes were assessed: 8 described treatment of FN, 6 described microbiologically defined infections (MDI), 4 clinically defined infections, 4 were additional clinical composite outcomes, and 6 outcomes were related to discharge. These data can mainly be used to study FN characteristics and their association with outcomes over time and between centers, and for derivation and external validation of clinical decision rules.

Predictive Indicators to Identify High-Risk Paediatric Febrile Neutropenia in Paediatric Oncology Patients in a Middle-Income Country

PURPOSE

To validate a clinical risk prediction score (Ammann score) to predict adverse events (AEs) in paediatric febrile neutropenia (FN).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Patients <16 years of age were enrolled. A risk prediction score (based on haemoglobin ≥ 9 g/dl, white cell count (WCC) < 0.3 G/l, platelet count <50 G/l and chemotherapy more intensive than acute lymphoblastic leukaemia maintenance therapy) was calculated and AEs were documented.

RESULTS

In total, 100 FN episodes occurred in 52 patients, male:female ratio was 1.8:1 and median age was 56 months. At reassessment, AEs occurred in 18 of 55 (45%) low-risk FN episodes (score < 9) and 21 of 42 (55%) high-risk episodes (score ≥9) (sensitivity 60%, specificity 65%, positive predictive value 53%, negative predictive value 71%). Total WCC and absolute monocyte count (AMC) were significantly associated with AEs.

CONCLUSION

This study identified total WCC and AMC as significantly associated with AEs but failed to validate the risk prediction score.

Predictive value of PCT and IL-6 for bacterial infection in children with cancer and febrile neutropenia

Purpose

Only a third of children with cancer and febrile neutropenia (FN) have a proven bacterial infection; nevertheless, most children are hospitalized and treated with intravenous antibiotics. Several biomarkers have been proposed as predictive markers for bacterial infection in this population. We aimed to evaluate the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and procalcitonin (PCT) in diagnosing bacterial infection in children with cancer and FN.

Methods

The study population was derived from a prospective database (2006–2013, IL-8 study) comprising children with cancer who presented with FN. From stored plasma samples (taken at admission and/or at 12–24 h), we determined the PCT and IL-6 levels. Consequently, we explored their relation with the presence of bacterial infection (positive blood culture, radiologically documented infection or clinical bacterial focus). We predefined cutoff values at 60 ng/L for IL-6 and 0.25 ng/mL for PCT.

Results

Seventy-seven FN episodes in 55 children with cancer were included. In 18 episodes (23.4%), a bacterial infection was documented. Both at presentation and after 12–24 h, median values of IL-6 and PCT were significantly higher in patients with a bacterial infection compared to patients without a bacterial infection. With both biomarkers above cutoff values, sensitivity was 93% (with either one, this was even 100%). The identified group at low risk for bacterial infection comprised 41% of the population.

Conclusion

PCT and IL-6 are promising markers in identifying bacterial infection in children with cancer and FN. In a subsequent project, we will incorporate these biomarkers in a risk assessment model that we will test prospectively in a clinical trial.

Making Improvements in the ED: Does ED Busyness Affect Time to Antibiotics in Febrile Pediatric Oncology Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department?

OBJECTIVES

Febrile neutropenic pediatric patients are at heightened risk for serious bacterial infections, and rapid antibiotic administration (in <60 minutes) improves survival. Our objectives were to reduce the time-to-antibiotic (TTA) administration and to evaluate the effect of overall emergency department (ED) busyness on TTA.

METHODS

This study was a quality improvement initiative with retrospective chart review to reduce TTA in febrile children with underlying diagnosis of cancer or hematologic immunodeficiency who visited the pediatric ED. A multidisciplinary clinical practice guideline (CPG) was implemented to improve TTA. The CPG's main focus was delivery of antibiotics before availability of laboratory data. We collected data on TTA during baseline and intervention periods. Concurrent patient arrivals to the ED per hour served as a proxy of busyness. Time to antibiotic was compared with the number of concurrent arrivals per hour. Analyses included scatter plot and regression analysis.

RESULTS

There were 253 visits from October 1, 2010 to March 30, 2012. Median TTA administration dropped from 207 to 89 minutes (P < 0.001). Eight months after completing all intervention periods, the median had dropped again to 44 minutes with 70% of patients receiving antibiotics within 60 minutes of ED arrival. There was no correlation between concurrent patient arrivals and TTA administration during the historical or intervention periods.

CONCLUSIONS

Implementation of a CPG and process improvements significantly reduced median TTA administration. Total patient arrivals per hour as a proxy of ED crowding did not affect TTA administration. Our data suggest that positive improvements in clinical care can be successful despite fluctuations in ED patient volume.

External Validation of Six Pediatric Fever and Neutropenia Clinical Decision Rules

BACKGROUND

Fever and neutropenia (FN) clinical decision rules (CDRs) are recommended to help distinguish children with cancer at high and low risk of severe infection. The aim of this study was to validate existing pediatric FN CDRs designed to stratify children with cancer at high or low risk of serious infection or medical complication.

METHODS

Pediatric CDRs suitable for validation were identified from a literature search. Relevant data were extracted from an existing data set of 650 retrospective FN episodes in children with cancer. The sensitivity and specificity of each of the CDR were compared with the derivation studies to assess reproducibility.

RESULTS

Six CDRs were identified for validation: 2 were designed to predict bacteremia and 4 to predict adverse events. Five CDRs exhibited reproducibility in our cohort. A rule predicting bacteremia had the highest sensitivity (100%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 93%-100%) although poor specificity (17%), with only 15% identified as low risk. For adverse events, the highest sensitivity achieved was 84% (95% CI: 75%-90%), with specificity of 29% and 27% identified as low risk. A rule intended for application after a 24-hour period of inpatient observation yielded a sensitivity of 80% (95% CI: 73-86) and specificity of 46%, with 44% identified as low risk.

CONCLUSIONS

Five CDRs were reproducible, although not all can be recommended for implementation because of either inadequate sensitivity or failure to identify a clinically meaningful number of low-risk patients. The 24-hour rule arguably exhibits the best balance between sensitivity and specificity in our population.

The influence of different fever definitions on diagnostics and treatment after diagnosis of fever in chemotherapy-induced neutropenia in children with cancer

Background

There is no evidence-based definition of the temperature limit defining fever (TLDF) in children with neutropenia. Lowering the TLDF is known to increase the number of episodes of fever in neutropenia (FN). This study aimed to investigate the influence of a lower versus standard TLDF on diagnostics and therapy.

Methods

In a single pediatric cancer center using a high standard TLDF (39°C tympanic-temperature) patients were observed prospectively (NCT01683370). The effect of applying lower TLDFs (range 37.5°C to 38.9°C) versus 39.0°C on these measures was simulated in silicon.

Results

In reality, 45 FN episodes were diagnosed. Of 3391 temperatures measured, 193 were ≥39.0°C, and 937 ≥38.0°C. For persisting fever ≥24 hours, additional blood cultures were taken in 31 (69%) episodes in reality. This number decreased to 22 (49%) when applying 39.0°C, and increased to 33 for 38.0°C (73%; plus 11 episodes; plus 24%). For persisting fever ≥48 hours, i.v.-antibiotics were escalated in 25 (56%) episodes. This number decreased to 15 (33%) when applying 39.0°C, and increased to 26 for 38.0°C (58%; plus 11 episodes; plus 24%). For persisting fever ≥120 hours, i.v.-antifungals were added in 4 (9%) episodes. This number increased to 6 (13%) by virtually applying 39.0°C, and to 11 for 38.0°C (24%; plus 5 episodes; plus 11%). The median length of stay was 5.7 days (range, 0.8 to 43.4). In 43 episodes with hospital discharge beyond 24 hours, applying 38.0°C led to discharge delay by ≥12 hours in 24 episodes (56%; 95% CI, 40 to 71), with a median delay of 13 hours, and a cumulative delay of 68 days.

Conclusion

Applying a low versus standard TLDF led to relevant increases of diagnostics, antimicrobial therapy, and length of stay. The differences between management in reality versus simply applying 39.0° as TLDF reflect the important impact of clinical assessment.

Antibiotic use during infectious episodes in the first 6 months of anticancer treatment-A Swedish cohort study of children aged 7-16 years

BACKGROUND

Children undergoing cancer therapy are at risk for infectious complications that require hospitalization and antimicrobial therapy. Host factors such as age and underlying disease may predict the risk of severe infections in these children. To describe the increased morbidity due to infections in children with cancer, we characterized the antibiotic use during the infectious complications in a national cohort of children 7-16 years of age with cancer.

PROCEDURE

Data on infectious complications were prospectively collected from the medical records of all newly diagnosed children with cancer, aged 7-16 years, in Sweden between 2004 and 2006. An episode of infection was defined as a period of time when oral or intravenous antimicrobial treatment was prescribed because of symptoms of infection.

RESULTS

A total of 230 infectious episodes occurred in 80 of the 101 patients. Pathogens were isolated in 15% of the blood cultures that showed a predominance of Gram-positive bacteria. Intravenous broad-spectrum antibiotics with cephalosporins and carbapenems were mostly used as single drugs but also in combination with aminoglycosides and glycopeptide. The median treatment length varied between 6 and 11 days depending on cancer diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Our data demonstrate that infectious complications contribute significantly to morbidity in children with cancer aged 7-16 years. At the time of this survey, antibiotic prescription patterns varied and cephalosporins and carbapenems were mostly used. With increasing antibiotic resistance, a more stringent antibiotic stewardship with less use of cephalosporins and carbapenems should be encouraged for children with cancer. Data on prescription patterns should be incorporated as a quality measurement in pediatric cancer care.

Validation of risk stratification for children with febrile neutropenia in a pediatric oncology unit in India

PURPOSE

The study aims to validate a score predicting risk of complications in pediatric patients with chemotherapy-related febrile neutropenia (FN) and evaluate the performance of previously published models for risk stratification.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Children diagnosed with cancer and presenting with FN were evaluated in a prospective single-center study. A score predicting the risk of complications, previously derived in the unit, was validated on a prospective cohort. Performance of six predictive models published from geographically distinct settings was assessed on the same cohort.

RESULTS

Complications were observed in 109 (26.3%) of 414 episodes of FN over 15 months. A risk score based on undernutrition (two points), time from last chemotherapy (<7 days = two points), presence of a nonupper respiratory focus of infection (two points), C-reactive protein (>60 mg/l = five points), and absolute neutrophil count (<100 per μl = two points) was used to stratify patients into "low risk" (score <7, n = 208) and assessed using the following parameters: overall performance (Nagelkerke R² = 34.4%), calibration (calibration slope = 0.39; P = 0.25 in Hosmer-Lemeshow test), discrimination (c-statistic = 0.81), overall sensitivity (86%), negative predictive value (93%), and clinical net benefit (0.43). Six previously published rules demonstrated inferior performance in this cohort.

CONCLUSION

An indigenous decision rule using five simple predefined variables was successful in identifying children at risk for complications. Prediction models derived in developed nations may not be appropriate for low-middle-income settings and need to be validated before use.

Blood Cultures for Persistent Fever in Neutropenic Pediatric Patients Are of Low Diagnostic Yield

The incidence of bacteremia at the onset of pediatric febrile neutropenia (FN) at 2 academically linked institutions was 9.84%, and subsequent blood cultures performed for children with persistent FN yielded an incidence of 4.21%. Until the risk factors for new-onset bacteremia in patients being treated for FN can be identified and diagnostic methods can be improved, compliance with national guidelines is recommended.

Neutropenia in the Febrile Child

Fever in the pediatric population is a common chief complaint presenting to the emergency department and may be one of the first indications of a life-threatening infection, especially in patients with neutropenia. Given that pediatric patients with febrile neutropenia frequently present to emergency departments for emergent care, it is critical for emergency medicine physicians and pediatricians and family physicians working in the emergency department to know the key aspects of the clinical approach to these patients. This review of the clinical evaluation and treatment of the pediatric patient presenting with fever and confirmed or suspected neutropenia will provide health care providers with the necessary tools to effectively care for this patient population.

Approach to Non-Neutropenic Fever in Pediatric Oncology Patients-A Single Institution Study

BACKGROUND

Pediatric oncology patients with fever, even when not neutropenic, are known to be at an increased risk of bloodstream infections. However, there are no standard guidelines for management of fever in non-neutropenic patients, resulting in variability in practice across institutions.

PROCEDURE

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics, management, and outcome of all febrile non-neutropenic episodes in pediatric oncology patients at a single institution over the two-year period 2011-2012, to identify predictors of bloodstream infections. We assessed the efficacy of a uniform approach to outpatient management of a defined subset of patients at low risk of invasive infections.

RESULTS

A total of 254 episodes in 83 patients were identified. All patients had implanted central venous catheters (port). Sixty-two episodes (24%) were triaged as high-risk and admitted for inpatient management; five (8%) had positive blood cultures. The remaining 192 episodes were triaged as low risk and managed with once daily outpatient intravenous ceftriaxone; three (1.6%) were associated with bacteremia, and 10% required eventual inpatient management. Of all the factors analyzed, only signs of sepsis (lethargy, chills, hypotension) were associated with positive bloodstream infection.

CONCLUSIONS

Treatment of a defined subset of patients with outpatient intravenous ceftriaxone was safe and effective. Signs of sepsis were the only factor significantly associated with bloodstream infection. This study provides a baseline for future prospective studies assessing the safety of withholding antibiotics in this subset of patients.

Febrile neutropenia in children treated for malignancy

Febrile neutropenia (FN) in children treated for malignancy is a common and direct sequela of chemotherapy. Episodes of FN can be life-threatening, and demand prompt recognition, assessment and treatment with broad spectrum antibiotics. While in the majority of episodes no causal infection is identified, 10-20% are secondary to a bloodstream infection (BSI). A reduction in episodes of BSI could be achieved through robust infection prevention strategies, such as CVL care bundles. Alongside good antimicrobial stewardship, these strategies could reduce the risk of emergent, multi-drug resistant (MDR) infections. Emerging bacterial pathogens in BSI include Viridans Group Streptococci (VGS) and Enterobacteriaceae such as Klebsiella spp. which are known for their ability to carry MDR genes. There is also increased recognition of the role of invasive fungal infection (IFI) in FN, in particular with Aspergillus spp. Novel diagnostics, including multiplex blood and respiratory polymerase chain reaction assays can identify infections early in FN, facilitating targeted therapy, and reducing unnecessary antimicrobial exposure. Given appropriate, and sensitive rapid diagnostics, potential also exists to safely inform the risk assessment of patients with FN, identifying those at low risk of complication, who could be treated in the out-patient setting. Several clinical decision rules (CDR) have now been developed and validated in defined populations, for the risk assessment of children being treated for cancer. Future research is needed to develop a universal CDR to improve the management of children with FN.

F. Development and validation of a prediction model for diagnosing blood stream infections in febrile, non-neutropenic children with cancer

BACKGROUND

Pediatric oncology patients are at increased risk for blood stream infections (BSI). Risk in the absence of severe neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] ≥500/µl) is not well defined.

PROCEDURE

In a retrospective cohort of febrile (temperature ≥38.0° for >1 hr or ≥38.3°) pediatric oncology patients with ANC ≥500/µl, a diagnostic prediction model for BSI was constructed using logistic regression modeling and the following candidate predictors: age, ANC, absolute monocyte count, body temperature, inpatient/outpatient presentation, sex, central venous catheter type, hypotension, chills, cancer diagnosis, stem cell transplant, upper respiratory symptoms, and exposure to cytarabine, anti-thymocyte globulin, or anti-GD2 antibody. The model was internally validated with bootstrapping methods.

RESULTS

Among 932 febrile episodes in 463 patients, we identified 91 cases of BSI. Independently significant predictors for BSI were higher body temperature (Odds ratio [OR] 2.36 P < 0.001), tunneled external catheter (OR 13.79 P < 0.001), peripherally inserted central catheter (OR 3.95 P = 0.005), elevated ANC (OR 1.19 P = 0.024), chills (OR 2.09 P = 0.031), and hypotension (OR 3.08 P = 0.004). Acute lymphoblastic leukemia diagnosis (OR 0.34 P = 0.026), increased age (OR 0.70 P = 0.049), and drug exposure (OR 0.08 P < 0.001) were associated with decreased risk for BSI. The risk prediction model had a C-index of 0.898; after bootstrapping adjustment for optimism, corrected C-index 0.885.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed a diagnostic prediction model for BSI in febrile pediatric oncology patients without severe neutropenia. External validation is warranted before use in clinical practice. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:262-268. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Which decision rules meet methodological standards in children with febrile neutropenia? Results of a systematic review and analysis

BACKGROUND

Clinical decision rules (CDRs) have sought to identify the few children with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia (FN) really at risk of severe infection to reduce the invasive procedures and costs for those at low risk. Several reports have shown that most rules do not perform well enough to be clinically useful. Our objective was to analyze the derivation methods and validation procedures of these CDRs.

PROCEDURE

A systematic review using Medline, Ovid, Refdoc, and the Cochrane Library through December 2012 searched for all CDRs predicting the risk of severe infection and/or complications in children with chemotherapy-induced FN. Their methodological quality was analyzed by 17 criteria for deriving and validating a CDR identified in the literature. The criteria published by the Evidence Based Medicine Working Group were applied to the published validations of each CDR to assess their level of evidence.

RESULTS

The systematic research identified 612 articles and retained 12 that derived CDRs. Overall, the CDRs met a median of 65% of the methodological criteria. The criteria met least often were that the rule made clinical sense, or described the course of action, or that the variables and the CDR were reproducible. Only one CDR, developed in South America, met all methodological criteria and provided the highest level of evidence; unfortunately it was not reproducible in Europe.

CONCLUSION

Only one CDR developed for children with FN met all methodological standards and reached the highest level of evidence.

A prospective multicenter study of microbiologically defined infections in pediatric cancer patients with fever and neutropenia: Swiss Pediatric Oncology Group 2003 fever and neutropenia study

BACKGROUND

Fever and neutropenia (FN) often complicate anticancer treatment and can be caused by potentially fatal infections. Knowledge of pathogen distribution is paramount for optimal patient management.

METHODS

Microbiologically defined infections (MDI) in pediatric cancer patients presenting with FN by nonmyeloablative chemotherapy enrolled in a prospective multicenter study were analyzed. Effectiveness of empiric antibiotic therapy in FN episodes with bacteremia was assessed taking into consideration recently published treatment guidelines for pediatric patients with FN.

RESULTS

MDI were identified in a minority (22%) of pediatric cancer patients with FN. In patients with, compared with patients without MDI, fever [median, 5 (interquartile range: 3-8) vs. 2 (interquartile range: 1-3) days, P < 0.001] and hospitalization [10 (6-14) vs. 5 (3-8) days, P < 0.001] lasted longer, transfer to the intensive care unit was more likely [13 of 95 (14%) vs. 7 of 346 (2.0%), P < 0.001], and antibiotics were given longer [10 (7-14) vs. 5 (4-7) days, P < 0.001]. Empiric antibiotic therapy in FN episodes with bacteremia was highly effective if not only intrinsic and reported antimicrobial susceptibilities were considered but also the purposeful omission of coverage for coagulase-negative staphylococci and enterococci was taken into account [81% (95% confidence interval: 68-90) vs. 96.6% (95% confidence interval: 87-99.4), P = 0.004].

CONCLUSIONS

MDI were identified in a minority of FN episodes but they significantly affected management and the clinical course of pediatric cancer patients. Compliance with published guidelines was associated with effectiveness of empiric antibiotic therapy in FN episodes with bacteremia.

Exploring the association of hemoglobin level and adverse events in children with cancer presenting with fever in neutropenia

Background

In children and adolescents with fever in neutropenia (FN) during chemotherapy for cancer, hemoglobin ≥90 g/L at presentation with FN had been associated with adverse events (AE). This analysis explored three hypothetical pathophysiological mechanisms potentially explaining this counterintuitive finding, and further analyzed the statistical association between hemoglobin and AE.

Methods

Two of 8 centers, reporting on 311 of 421 FN episodes in 138 of 215 patients participated in this retrospective analysis based on prospectively collected data from three databases (SPOG 2003 FN, transfusion and hematology laboratories). Associations with AE were analyzed using mixed logistic regression.

Results

Hemoglobin was ≥90 g/L in 141 (45%) of 311 FN episodes, specifically in 59/103 (57%) episodes with AE, and in 82/208 (39%) without (OR, 2.3; 99%CI, 1.1–4.9; P = 0.004). In FN with AE, hemoglobin was bimodally distributed with a dip around 85 g/L. There were no significant interactions for center, age and sex. In multivariate mixed logistic regression, AE was significantly and independently associated with leukopenia (leukocytes <0.3 G/L; OR, 3.3; 99%CI, 1.1–99; P = 0.004), dehydration (hemoglobin_Presentation/hemoglobin_{8–72 hours} ≥1.10 in untransfused patients; OR, 3.5; 99%CI, 1.1–11.4; P = 0.006) and non-moderate anemia (difference from 85 g/L; 1.6 per 10 g/L; 1.0–2.6; P = 0.005), but not with recent transfusion of packed red blood cells (pRBC), very recent transfusion of pRBC or platelets, or with hemoglobin ≥90 g/L as such.

Conclusions

Non-moderate anemia and dehydration were significantly and relevantly associated with the risk of AE in children with cancer and FN. These results need validation in prospective cohorts before clinical implementation.

Aetiology and resistance in bacteraemias among adult and paediatric haematology and cancer patients

OBJECTIVES

A knowledge of current epidemiology and resistance patterns is crucial to the choice of empirical treatment for bacteraemias in haematology and cancer patients.

METHODS

A literature review on bacteraemias in cancer patients considered papers published between January 1st 2005 and July 6th 2011. Additionally, in 2011, a questionnaire on the aetiology and resistance in bacteraemias, and empirical treatment, was sent to participants of the European Conference on Infections in Leukemia (ECIL) meetings; recipients were from 80 haematology centres.

RESULTS

For the literature review, data from 49 manuscripts were analysed. The questionnaire obtained responses from 39 centres in 18 countries. Compared with the published data, the questionnaire reported more recent data, and showed a reduction of the Gram-positive to Gram-negative ratio (55%:45% vs. 60%:40%), increased rates of enterococci (8% vs. 5%) and Enterobacteriaceae (30% vs. 24%), a decreased rate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (5% vs. 10%), and lower resistance rates for all bacteria. Nevertheless the median rates of ESBL-producers (15-24%), aminoglycoside-resistant Gram-negatives (5-14%) and carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa (5-14%) were substantial, and significantly higher in South-East vs. North-West Europe.

CONCLUSIONS

The published epidemiological data on bacteraemias in haematology are scanty and mostly dated. Important differences in aetiology and resistance exist among centres. Updated analyses of the local epidemiology are mandatory to support appropriate empirical therapy.

Infections in hospitalized children and young adults with acute leukemia in Morocco

BACKGROUND

Overall survival from leukemia is less in low and middle-income countries than in high-income countries. Our purpose was to describe the incidence, clinical features, and mortality of febrile illness with or without documented infection in children and young adults treated for AML and ALL in two centers in Rabat and Casablanca during 2011.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included patients <30 years of age who were newly diagnosed with AML and ALL in 2011 in Casablanca and Rabat. Each patient's chart was evaluated for patient demographics, febrile episodes, chemotherapy regimen, and clinical or microbiological evidence of infection, neutropenia, antibiotics, and mortality.

RESULTS

One hundred sixty-six evaluable patients had 228 inpatient febrile episodes. The median number of febrile episodes in AML was three per patient, and for ALL, one per patient. Clinically identified infections mainly included pneumonitis and mucositis. Coagulase negative staphylococcus was the most commonly isolated bacterium, followed by gram-negative bacteria. Fifty-three percent of febrile episodes were classified as fever of undetermined origin. Broad-spectrum antibiotics were routinely used, with the addition of antifungals in 62 episodes and vancomycin in 83 episodes. The rate of deaths per febrile illness was 11.3% (16/141) in patients with AML, and 9.2% (8/87) in patients with ALL.

CONCLUSION

The higher rate of infectious deaths in leukemia compared to that reported in high-income countries, suggests that improvements in infection care and prevention, including consistent access to rapid hospitalization, diagnostics and antibiotics; and standardizing quality of patient care are necessary to improve as well as survival in patients with leukemia in Morocco.

Different fever definitions and the rate of fever and neutropenia diagnosed in children with cancer: a retrospective two-center cohort study

BACKGROUND

The definition of fever, and thus fever and neutropenia (FN), varies between different pediatric oncology centers. Higher temperature limit should reduce FN rates, but may increase rates of FN with complications by delaying therapy. This study determined if different fever definitions are associated with different FN rates.

PROCEDURE

Two pediatric oncology centers had used three fever definitions in 2004-2011: ear temperature ≥38.5 °C persisting ≥2 hours (low definition); axillary temperature ≥38.5 °C ≥ 2 hours or ≥39.0 °C once (middle); and ear temperature ≥39.0 °C once (high). Clinical information was retrospectively extracted from charts. FN rates were compared using mixed Poisson regression.

RESULTS

In 521 pediatric patients with cancer, 783 FN were recorded during 6,009 months cumulative chemotherapy exposure time (501 years; rate, 0.13/month [95% CI, 0.12-0.14]), 124 of them with bacteremia (16%; 0.021/month [0.017-0.025]). In univariate analysis, the high versus low fever definition was associated with a lower FN rate (0.10/month [0.08-0.11] vs. 0.15/month [0.13-0.16]; rate ratio, 0.66 [0.45-0.97]; P = 0.036), the middle definition was intermediate (0.13/month [0.11-0.15]). This difference was not confirmed in multivariate analysis (rate ratio, 0.94 [0.67-1.33]; P = 0.74). The high versus low definition was not associated with an increased rate of FN with bacteremia (multivariate rate ratio, 1.39 [0.53-3.62]; P = 0.50).

CONCLUSION

A higher fever definition was not associated with a lower FN rate, nor with an increased rate of FN with bacteremia. These may be false negative findings due to methodological limitations. These questions, with their potential impact on health-related quality of life, and on costs, need to be assessed in prospective studies.

Prediction of bacteremia in children with febrile episodes during chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The purpose was to identify risk factors for bacteremia in febrile episodes occurring during chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children, and to develop a risk score permitting risk-adapted antibiotic therapy. We reviewed a total of 172 febrile episodes occurring during chemotherapy in 31 children and adolescents with ALL. Temperature, hematological parameters, culture findings, and antibiotic therapy were recorded. Bacteremias were classified as transmucosal or CVC-dependent. Blood cultures were positive with mucosal pathogens in 15 cases (9%) and with skin/environmental bacteria in 34 (20%). CVC-dependent infections occurred throughout the treatment phases, while transmucosal primarily during induction therapy. Transmucosal bacteremia was associated with induction therapy, leukocyte count ≤0.5 × 10(9)/L, neutrophil count ≤0.1 × 10(9)/L, monocyte count ≤0.01 × 10(9)/L, and platelet count ≤50 × 10(9)/L. Based on logistic conversion of the odds ratios for the five factors, a weight of 2 was assigned to induction therapy and leukocyte count ≤0.5 × 10(9)/L, and a weight of 1 to the remaining three parameters. The weights were included in a simple additive score ranging from 0 to 7, which defined groups with 4%, 6%, 24%, and 40% risk of transmucosal bacteremia. CVC-dependent bacteremia was not associated with markers of poor bone marrow function. In conclusion, transmucosal bacteremia in children with ALL is related to infiltration or suppression of the bone marrow. A score reflecting the condition of the marrow can define low-risk and high-risk groups and may prove clinically useful.

Guideline for the management of fever and neutropenia in children with cancer and/or undergoing hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation

PURPOSE

To develop an evidence-based guideline for the empiric management of pediatric fever and neutropenia (FN).

METHODS

The International Pediatric Fever and Neutropenia Guideline Panel is a multidisciplinary and multinational group composed of experts in pediatric oncology and infectious disease as well as a patient advocate. The Panel was convened for the purpose of creating this guideline. We followed previously validated procedures for creating evidence-based guidelines. Working groups focused on initial presentation, ongoing management, and empiric antifungal therapy. Each working group developed key clinical questions, conducted systematic reviews of the published literature, and compiled evidence summaries. The Grades of Recommendation Assessment, Development, and Evaluation approach was used to generate summaries, and evidence was classified as high, moderate, low, or very low based on methodologic considerations.

RESULTS

Recommendations were made related to initial presentation (risk stratification, initial evaluation, and treatment), ongoing management (modification and cessation of empiric antibiotics), and empiric antifungal treatment (risk stratification, evaluation, and treatment) of pediatric FN. For each recommendation, the strength of the recommendation and level of evidence are presented.

CONCLUSION

This guideline represents an evidence-based approach to FN specific to children with cancer. Although some recommendations are similar to adult-based guidelines, there are key distinctions in multiple areas. Implementation will require adaptation to the local context.

Biomarkers for risk stratification of febrile neutropenia among children with malignancy: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Patients receiving myelosuppressive chemotherapy remain at increased risk for developing febrile neutropenia (FN). For this heterogeneous population, a biomarker based risk stratification of FN patients may be a useful clinical tool. We hypothesized that serum biomarkers during initial presentation of an FN event could be predictive of subsequent clinical outcome.

PROCEDURE

Eighty-nine FN events from 36 non-consecutive subjects were analyzed. "High-risk" FN criteria included prolonged hospitalization (≥ 7 days), admission to pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) or a microbiology confirmed bacteremia. Patients with "low risk" FN had none of the above. Biomarkers measured during the first 2 days of FN hospitalization were analyzed and correlated with respective clinical outcome.

RESULTS

Of the 89 FN events, 44 (49%) fulfilled pre-defined high-risk criteria and 45 (51%) were low-risk. Procalcitonin level (>0.11 ng/ml) was found to be associated with the high-risk FN outcome with sensitivity of 97%. With an increase in log scale by 1, the odds of being high-risk FN increased twofold. Hs-CRP >100 mg/L had sensitivity of 88% in predicting high-risk FN. The odds of a high-risk FN event increased by approximately 1.8-fold with an increase in the log scale of hs-CRP by 1 (10-fold). In univariate analysis, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 were statistically significant and associated with high-risk FN. However, no statistically significant difference was found for IL-1α, sIL-2Ra, IL-3, or TNF-α.

CONCLUSIONS

Biomarkers with appropriate critical threshold values may be a useful clinical tool for appropriate risk stratification of children with FN.

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

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.

Updated systematic review and meta-analysis of the performance of risk prediction rules in children and young people with febrile neutropenia

INTRODUCTION

Febrile neutropenia is a common and potentially life-threatening complication of treatment for childhood cancer, which has increasingly been subject to targeted treatment based on clinical risk stratification. Our previous meta-analysis demonstrated 16 rules had been described and 2 of them subject to validation in more than one study. We aimed to advance our knowledge of evidence on the discriminatory ability and predictive accuracy of such risk stratification clinical decision rules (CDR) for children and young people with cancer by updating our systematic review.

METHODS

The review was conducted in accordance with Centre for Reviews and Dissemination methods, searching multiple electronic databases, using two independent reviewers, formal critical appraisal with QUADAS and meta-analysis with random effects models where appropriate. It was registered with PROSPERO: CRD42011001685.

RESULTS

We found 9 new publications describing a further 7 new CDR, and validations of 7 rules. Six CDR have now been subject to testing across more than two data sets. Most validations demonstrated the rule to be less efficient than when initially proposed; geographical differences appeared to be one explanation for this.

CONCLUSION

The use of clinical decision rules will require local validation before widespread use. Considerable uncertainty remains over the most effective rule to use in each population, and an ongoing individual-patient-data meta-analysis should develop and test a more reliable CDR to improve stratification and optimise therapy. Despite current challenges, we believe it will be possible to define an internationally effective CDR to harmonise the treatment of children with febrile neutropenia.

Advances in management of low-risk febrile neutropenia

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To describe and discuss the most recent advances in the management of low-risk febrile neutropenia in children with cancer.

RECENT FINDINGS

Several risk stratification tools for children with febrile neutropenia have been developed, although none of these tools have been directly compared and few have been validated in independent populations. However, there is good evidence that, for pediatric patients with febrile neutropenia at low risk for severe infection, outpatient management is a well tolerated and efficacious alternative to inpatient care. Moreover, major progress has been made in obtaining and understanding perceived quality of life and preferences for outpatient management in pediatric cancer patients. Many parents prefer inpatient management although child quality of life is, in general, anticipated to be higher with outpatient intravenous therapy. Finally, outpatient strategies are more cost-effective as compared with traditional management in hospital.

SUMMARY

Outpatient management is a well tolerated and cost-effective strategy for low-risk febrile neutropenia in children with cancer, although parental preferences are highly variable for outpatient versus inpatient management. Future research should examine the effectiveness of outpatient strategies through conduct of large cohort studies. Other future work could focus on development of decision aids and other tools to facilitate ambulatory approaches.