Assessment of Antimicrobial Prescription Pattern among Paediatric Cancer Patients with Febrile Neutropenia

Febrile neutropenia (FN) is the most common haematological toxicity associated with cytotoxic chemotherapy. Individual studies are available, but national estimates on FN are required. To describe chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, its associated infection-causing organisms, and the antimicrobials prescribed, a prospective cum retrospective study was conducted for a period of 9 months, which included 50 paediatric cancer patients less than 18 years. Patients having an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) less than 1500/mm3, having body temperature of above 38.5 °C, and receiving anti-infectives as prophylaxis were included. Patient demographic details, presenting complaints, absolute neutrophil count, and laboratory findings were noted in a patient proforma. Out of the overall 584 episodes of CIN, 188 episodes (32.2%) were of febrile neutropenia. Majority of patients were boys (70%), aged between 1 and 6 years (66%), and diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (64%). The mean ANC was 765.6 ± 235.7 × 109/l. From a total of 188 episodes of FN, in 179 episodes, patients had ANC < 500 mm3, whereas in 9 episodes, patients had ANC < 100 mm3. The predominant site of infection in these patients was bloodstream (27%), followed by urine (6%) and stool (1%). From the 51 episodes of blood culture done, the highest reported was of Staphylococcus species (49.01%). Anti-infective combinations of piperacillin/vancomycin (56%) and piperacillin/amikacin (42%) were given. Patients with positive fungal growth received Inj. amphotericin (18%) as therapy. Majority of the children undergoing chemotherapy, diagnosed with ALL, had FN. Low ANC led them susceptible to various bacterial and fungal infections. Introduction to antimicrobials and antifungals have all contributed to decreasing chemotherapy-related infections.