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Review
. 2021;169(5):443-450.
doi: 10.1007/s00112-021-01146-4. Epub 2021 Mar 15.

[Febrile neutropenia in pediatric and adolescent cancer patients]

[Article in German]
K Bochennek  1 , A Simon  2 , H-J Laws  3 , A H Groll  4 , T Lehrnbecher  1
Affiliations
Review

[Febrile neutropenia in pediatric and adolescent cancer patients]

[Article in German]
K Bochennek et al. Monatsschr Kinderheilkd. 2021.

Abstract
in English, German

Febrile neutropenia is the most common potential emergency situation in children and adolescents with cancer. The host response of these patients is severely compromised by treatment-induced immunosuppression resulting in a lack of important defence mechanisms, so that bacterial infections and in certain risk groups also fungal infections can be life threatening. As the clinical course of these infectious complications may be rapid and fatal, early antibiotic treatment can save lives. This article aims to raise awareness to this emergency situation and gives an overview of the management of pediatric cancer patients with febrile neutropenia.

Fieber während der Granulozytopenie („febrile neutropenia“) ist die häufigste potenzielle Notfallsituation in der Kinderonkologie. Aufgrund der therapiebedingten Immunsuppression fehlen dem Patienten wichtige Abwehrmechanismen, sodass v. a. bakterielle Infektionen und in bestimmten Risikogruppen auch Pilzinfektionen lebensbedrohlich verlaufen können. Die möglichst zeitnahe Einleitung einer angemessenen antibiotischen Therapie kann hier Leben retten. Der vorliegende Beitrag möchte für diese Notfallsituation sensibilisieren und einen Überblick über das Management dieser Patienten geben.

Keywords: Antibiotics; Bacterial infections; Emergencies; Fungal infections; Immune system.

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References

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