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Multicenter Study
. 2012 Oct;97(10):1548-52.
doi: 10.3324/haematol.2012.062885. Epub 2012 Mar 14.

Variations in non-pharmacological anti-infective measures in childhood leukemia--results of an international survey

Thomas Lehrnbecher  1 , Richard Aplenc, Fernanda Rivas Pereira, Alvaro Lassaletta, Désirée Caselli, Jerzy Kowalczyk, Julia Chisholm, Lillian Sung; SIOP Supportive Care Working Group
Collaborators, Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Variations in non-pharmacological anti-infective measures in childhood leukemia--results of an international survey

Thomas Lehrnbecher et al. Haematologica. 2012 Oct.

Erratum in

  • Haematologica. 2014 Jul;99(7):1272

Abstract

Background: Standardization in clinical practice may lead to improved outcomes. Unfortunately, little is known about the variability of non-pharmacological anti-infective measures in children with cancer.

Design and methods: A web-based survey assessed institutional recommendations regarding restrictions of social contacts, pets and food and instructions on wearing face masks in public for children with standard- risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia during intensive chemotherapy.

Results: A total of 336 institutions in 27 countries responded to the survey (range, 1-76 institutions per country; overall response rate 61%). Most institutions recommend that patients with acute myeloid leukemia avoid indoor public places and daycare, kindergarten and school, whereas recommendations for patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia differ considerably by institution. In terms of restrictions related to pets, there was a wide variability between institutions for both acute lymphoblastic and acute myeloid leukemia patients. Most, but not all institutions do not allow children with either acute lymphoblastic or acute myeloid leukemia to eat raw meat, raw seafood or unpasteurized milk. Whereas most institutions do not routinely recommend that patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia wear face masks in public, advice on this matter varies for patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Conclusions: The survey demonstrates that there is a wide variation in recommendations on non-pharmacological anti-infective measures between different institutions, countries and continents. This information may be used to encourage harmonization of supportive care practices and future clinical trials.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
(A) Social restrictions in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL; top) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML; bottom). (B) Pet restrictions in acute lymphoblastic (ALL; top) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML; bottom). (C) Food restrictions in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL, top) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML; bottom). Gray bars represent always restricted, black bars represent restricted under certain circumstances and white bars represent never restricted.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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