Early hospital discharge of children with fever and neutropenia: a prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
We report a prospective study on brief IV antibiotic therapy in selected children with cancer experiencing fever and neutropenia (FN) after chemotherapy.


METHODS
All children with FN (T degree > or = 38 degrees C; ANC < 0.5 x 10(9)/L) were hospitalized for treatment with broad spectrum IV antibiotics. They were divided into three groups: group A (no infection), group B (clinically documented infection), and group C (bacteremia). Children in group A (and some children in group B) were discharged before recovery of neutropenia, if afebrile and in good condition.


RESULTS
Eighty-eight consecutive episodes of FN occurred in 30 children. Children in group A (44 episodes; 50%) received IV antibiotics for a median of 3 days; on 25 occasions (57%), IV antibiotics were stopped before recovery of neutropenia. In children in group B (30 episodes; 34%), early discharge was allowed in eight cases of minor infections (27%); six received oral antibiotics. Two children (group A) were rehospitalized for recurrent FN but recovered without complications.


CONCLUSIONS
In chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, children hospitalized for fever but without documented infections and some children with minor infections can cautiously be discharged before evidence of bone marrow recovery if afebrile and in good general condition.
Wacker
P
P
Hematology/Oncology Unit, Hôpital des Enfants, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, Switzerland.
Halperin
D S
DS
Wyss
M
M
Humbert
J
J
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005334:Fever / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy; D011446:Prospective Studies
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents