Outpatient treatment of fever and neutropenia for low risk pediatric cancer patients

Cancer. 1999 Jul 1;86(1):126-34.

Abstract

Background: Fever and neutropenia (F&N) is a common complication of cancer chemotherapy. It is conveniently managed by hospitalization and empiric administration of parenteral antibiotics. This study attempted to determine whether pediatric cancer patients with F&N identified as low risk for morbidity and mortality by clinical criteria at the time of presentation could be treated safely as outpatients.

Methods: Seventy-three episodes of F&N in 41 patients were studied prospectively over 2 years. Eligibility criteria included age > or =2 years, reliable caretakers, and residence within 1 hour of the hospital. Exclusion criteria included hemodynamic instability, dehydration, severe mucositis, pneumonia, leukemia/lymphoma induction therapy, bone marrow transplantation, or other serious comorbidity. Patients were evaluated, received a single dose of intravenous ceftazidime, and were observed for 3-16 hours. They were randomized to receive either oral ciprofloxacin or intravenous ceftazidime as outpatients. Patients were seen daily until they had been afebrile for at least 48 hours and had a rising absolute phagocyte count of >500 cells/microL.

Results: Sixty-three of 73 episodes (86%) were successfully managed on an outpatient basis. For 31 of 33 episodes in the ceftazidime arm, the patients remained outpatients, compared with 32 of 40 in the ciprofloxacin arm; this difference was not statistically significant. On average, patients remained febrile for 2.7 days and were treated for 4.7 days. Seventy-seven percent of episodes required no modification of initial antibiotic therapy. Of the 10 patients who were hospitalized, 4 had prolonged fever and 3 had emesis. Protracted neutropenia was associated with the need for hospitalization. There were no deaths, intensive care unit transfers, or serious complications.

Conclusions: Carefully selected low risk children with fever and neutropenia can be treated safely as outpatients. Close daily medical scrutiny is required.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Ambulatory Care*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Bacterial Infections / drug therapy*
  • Bacterial Infections / etiology
  • Ceftazidime / therapeutic use
  • Cephalosporins / therapeutic use
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Ciprofloxacin / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Fever / chemically induced
  • Fever / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neutropenia / chemically induced
  • Neutropenia / drug therapy*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Cephalosporins
  • Ciprofloxacin
  • Ceftazidime