Uri Tabori1, Heather Jones, David Malkin. 1. Division of Hematology/Oncology, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The high risk of infection and other complications in severely neutropenic pediatric oncology patients receiving chemotherapy has led to development of a variety of preventive measures including isolation and diet restrictions. In order to examine the potential impact of these measures, we evaluated the outcomes of such patients attending a recreational summer camp. METHODS: We collected data on all children who attended an overnight summer camp for children with cancer during the years 1999-2004, and who were either severely neutropenic or at a high-intensity phase of chemotherapy. Outcome measures included fever, bleeding, hospitalization, and clinical or laboratory evidence of infection. The observation period included both, the 2-week camp experience and 30 days post-camp. RESULTS: The study group was comprised of 34 patients. Although nine (24%) were hospitalized for management of fever and neutropenia, only one patient had clinical or culture-positive evidence of an invasive infectious agent. No bleeding episode was recorded and most patients attended all camp activities. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the safety and feasibility of severely neutropenic patients with cancer to attend the non-isolated, non-sterile environment of a summer camp. These findings may be applicable to school and other social settings.
BACKGROUND: The high risk of infection and other complications in severely neutropenic pediatric oncologypatients receiving chemotherapy has led to development of a variety of preventive measures including isolation and diet restrictions. In order to examine the potential impact of these measures, we evaluated the outcomes of such patients attending a recreational summer camp. METHODS: We collected data on all children who attended an overnight summer camp for children with cancer during the years 1999-2004, and who were either severely neutropenic or at a high-intensity phase of chemotherapy. Outcome measures included fever, bleeding, hospitalization, and clinical or laboratory evidence of infection. The observation period included both, the 2-week camp experience and 30 days post-camp. RESULTS: The study group was comprised of 34 patients. Although nine (24%) were hospitalized for management of fever and neutropenia, only one patient had clinical or culture-positive evidence of an invasive infectious agent. No bleeding episode was recorded and most patients attended all camp activities. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the safety and feasibility of severely neutropenicpatients with cancer to attend the non-isolated, non-sterile environment of a summer camp. These findings may be applicable to school and other social settings.