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Myelosuppression and infectious complications in children with down syndrome and acute lymphoblastic leukemia
Author(s) -
Rabin Karen R.,
Smith Justin,
Kozinetz Claudia A.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.23371
Subject(s) - medicine , neutropenia , mucositis , blood cancer , cellulitis , lymphoblastic leukemia , absolute neutrophil count , leukemia , gastroenterology , dermatology , cancer , chemotherapy
Children with Down syndrome (DS) bear an increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and treatment complications. We compared blood counts and toxicities in 22 DS and 44 non‐DS ALL patients. Patients with DS had deeper, longer neutrophil and monocyte count nadirs; more toxicities (HR 2.0, P = 0.0005); longer hospitalizations (HR 1.4, P < 0.0001); and more frequent microbiologically documented infections (HR 5.7, P = 0.0019), mucositis (HR 29.0, P = 0.0006), and cellulitis (HR 3.0, P = 0.033). Severe neutropenia, monocytopenia, and increased cellulitis in DS‐ALL suggest the importance of skin hygiene, vigilance and aggressive treatment of cutaneous infections. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 633–635. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.