Infections in children and adolescents with cancer are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in those receiving chemotherapy who are neutropenic and/or immunocompromised. The aim of this article is to review existing evidence in order to provide a practice recommendation to prevent or minimize infections in neutropenic and/or immunocompromised patients receiving chemotherapy and/or stem cell transplant. Systematic reviews were undertaken and research was graded according to the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. A variety of interventions are implemented to reduce infections in the neutropenic and/or immunocompromised population; however, few are supported by research evidence. Existing literature should continue to be reviewed to further identify interventions that can influence positive patient outcomes and provide opportunities for individuals in the medical field to work together to improve clinical care.
Keywords: anti-infective agents; cancer; hygiene; immunocompromised host; infection; infection control; neutropenia; stem cell transplant.
© 2014 by Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses.