Supportive care for children with cancer. Guidelines of the Childrens Cancer Study Group. Use of prophylactic antibiotics.
Infection is the major cause of morbidity and mortality in children receiving anticancer therapy. Children who have severe neutropenia (neutrophil count less than 100/mm3) for longer than 2 weeks should receive oral antibiotic prophylaxis. At present, trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole in combination with either nystatin or amphotericin B is the best regimen for reducing the incidence of serious infections. Trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole is very effective in the prevention of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonitis. Clinicans will have to balance the advantages and disadvantages of prophylaxis in patients who are at risk for P. carinii pneumonitis.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000666:Amphotericin B / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000517:prevention & control; D002648:Child; D003187:Compliance; D004338:Drug Combinations / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000150:complications; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000150:complications; D009761:Nystatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000517:prevention & control; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014295:Trimethoprim / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D009761:Nystatin; D000666:Amphotericin B; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination; D014295:Trimethoprim; D013420:Sulfamethoxazole