Study of Fungal Infections in Pediatric Oncology Patients

Abstract

Prolonged neutropenia is a major risk factor for invasive fungal infection among pediatric oncology patients. Invasive fungal infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in immunocompromised patients. The majority of fungal infections are caused by Candida or Aspergillus sp. This work was done to emphasize the importance of prevention of fungal and bacterial infections in cancer patients presented by febrile neutropenia by prompt application of the infection control procedures and to high light the importance of early diagnosis and proper treatment of fungal infections in these patients.

This study was carried out on 40 febrile neutropenic episodes in 32 cancer patients admitted to the Hematology-Oncology unit; Pediatric hospital, Menoutyia University during the period from November 2005, until October 2006. They were 12 males and 20 females. Their mean age was 6.18 years ranging from 1-15 years and median was 5 years.