Tamara Z Vern1, Sharad Salvi. 1. Department of Pediatrics, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Keyser Family Pediatric Cancer Center, Hope Children's Hospital, Advocate Christ Hospital, Oak Lawn, IL 60453, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: During initial treatments, pediatric cancer patients are frequently hospitalized for fever, which may be due to neutropenia or a manifestation of the somnolence syndrome (SS) after cranial radiation therapy (CRT). This was a retrospective chart review of patients who received CRT for central nervous system prophylaxis or treatment in acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma. OBSERVATIONS: Of 21 patients, 15 (71%) developed SS; 10 were hospitalized for fever. Comparing somnolent and nonsomnolent patients, there was no statistically significant difference in the admission absolute neutrophil count; radiation dose, fraction, or duration; and time between completion of CRT and first hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: In postradiation phase, patients with SS are more likely to get fever leading to hospital admission regardless of ANC.
BACKGROUND: During initial treatments, pediatric cancerpatients are frequently hospitalized for fever, which may be due to neutropenia or a manifestation of the somnolence syndrome (SS) after cranial radiation therapy (CRT). This was a retrospective chart review of patients who received CRT for central nervous system prophylaxis or treatment in acute lymphoblastic leukemia or lymphoma. OBSERVATIONS: Of 21 patients, 15 (71%) developed SS; 10 were hospitalized for fever. Comparing somnolent and nonsomnolent patients, there was no statistically significant difference in the admission absolute neutrophil count; radiation dose, fraction, or duration; and time between completion of CRT and first hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: In postradiation phase, patients with SS are more likely to get fever leading to hospital admission regardless of ANC.