@article {Meir423, author = {Hadir M. Meir and Ibrahim A. Balawi and Hala M. Meer and Hala Nayel and Mohammad F. Al-Mobarak}, title = {Fever and granulocytopenia in children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia under induction therapy}, volume = {22}, number = {5}, pages = {423--427}, year = {2001}, publisher = {Saudi Medical Journal}, abstract = {OBJECTIVE: Infection is one of the most serious complications of cancer therapy. The rationale of using broad spectrum antibiotics prophylactically has led to a great change in the causative organisms. The aim of the present study is to review retrospectively the type and sequence of infectious complications among Saudi children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.METHODS: A total of 233 febrile episodes were observed in 137 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia under induction therapy using modified BFM protocol were studied.RESULTS: Profound neutropenia (Absolute Neutrophil count \< 100/mm3) was encountered in 72 episodes (31\%). Clinical signs and symptoms suggestive of infection were evident in 39\% of the neutropenic episodes. The respiratory system was the most frequently affected site encountered in 17\% of the episodes. Microbiologically documented infection was recorded in 59\% (n=137) of the fever and granulocytopenia episodes. In 96 episodes (41\%), there was neither clinical nor microbiological evidence of infection fever of unknown origin. Out of the 932 cultures, positive isolates were detected in 346 cultures (37\%). Gram positive cocci were the most frequently organisms (54\%) followed by gram negative bacilli (39\%). In the current study, 7 patients (3\%) died because of direct or indirect consequences of infection.CONCLUSION: The current study stresses the importance of frequent reviewing of the type, frequency, severity and outcome of infection complications over years to detect changing epidemiological patterns.}, issn = {0379-5284}, URL = {https://smj.org.sa/content/22/5/423}, eprint = {https://smj.org.sa/content/22/5/423.full.pdf}, journal = {Saudi Medical Journal} }