Varicella in children with haematological malignancy--outcome of treatment and prevention.
Primary varicella-zoster virus infection in children with haematological malignancy is a life threatening disease. In one year, there were 10 cases of varicella and 2 cases of zoster among these children as well as 5 mothers who were accompanying their children who developed varicella in the oncology ward. Two children died of fulminating disease despite aggressive antiviral and supportive treatment. Acyclovir can be used in treatment and prophylaxis in exposed susceptible children. Varicella -zoster immune globulin is not available in this country. Vaccination with live virus has been shown to be protective in immunocompromised children and needs consideration.
Ho
C M
CM
Department of Paediatrics, Hospital Besar, Kuala Lumpur.
Khuzaiah
R
R
Yasmin
A M
AM
D000208:Acute Disease; D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002644:Chickenpox / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D017053:Infection Control; D015464:Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive / Q000150:complications*; D007951:Leukemia, Myeloid / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated; D014765:Viral Vaccines
D019433:Chickenpox Vaccine; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated; D014765:Viral Vaccines; D000212:Acyclovir