Infections after treatment in children with acute leukemia

This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of infections in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute myeloid leukemia patients that have completed treatment.

This study concluded that infections are a common complication after treatment of these patients.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are cancers of cells of the immune system. Infections are a common complication of these conditions in children.

Treatment for children with ALL and AML often includes powerful medications that lower the immune system. There is a lack of knowledge about the occurrence of infections in these patients after treatment.

This study involved data from 28 studies and 4138 pediatric patients with ALL or AML. A review of current literature assessed the occurrence of infections in these patients after treatment.

4 studies reported infections in patients who did not have a stem cell transplant. Respiratory tract infections affected 9.9% to 72.5% of patients who did not have a stem cell transplant. Urinary tract infections affected 2.9% to 19.8% of these patients.

12 studies reported infections in patients who did have HSCT. Bacterial infections affected 3.9% to 38.5% of patients. Viral infections affected 16.1% to 66.7% of patients. Fungal infections affected 0.2% to 41.7% of patients. Viral hepatitis affected 0.8% to 75.4% of patients.

This study concluded that infections are a common complication after treatment of pediatric AML or ALL patients. 

Further research needs to be carried out to determine factors that can predict late infections after treatment in these patients.

Consult your physician about dealing with infections after treatment.