Infection in the immunocompromised host.
The largest numbers of immunocompromised pediatric patients are neonates and children who are managed in intensive care units. Therapeutic principles that apply to the classic neutropenic cancer patient are also relevant for these categories; maximum doses of bactericidal antibiotics given for longer periods should be used. Pediatricians should also be acquainted with those unusual infectious processes associated with specific immune deficits so that appropriate empiric therapy is selected. A protocol for managing the neutropenic patient with fever is discussed.
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007938:Leukemia / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000150:complications / Q000151:congenital / Q000209:etiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents