Development of an evidence-based clinical guideline for age-appropriate screening, prevention, and management of bone abnormalities in children post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

Musculoskeletal complaints, pain, and weakness are common among children post-hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT). Bone abnormalities include decreased bone mineral density and avascular necrosis, both affecting ambulation and quality of life for survivors. Several risk factors for both disorders among adults have been described along with suggested interventions. However, similar recommendations for screening and management of bone abnormalities among children and adolescents post-HSCT are not clearly defined. A review of the literature using PubMed, CINAHL, National Guideline Clearinghouse, and Cochrane Collection databases identified a paucity of reports specific to the management of bone abnormalities in children and adolescents post-HSCT. Although guidelines for evaluation of bone health in pediatric patients with cancer exist, none specifically address early screening and prevention. The purpose of this article is to provide a review of the literature on current evidence for age appropriate screening, prevention, and management of bone abnormalities in children post-HSCT and to present a clinical guideline for bone abnormalities in children post-HSCT used in a hospital-based outpatient center.

Clinical practice implications of immunizations after pediatric bone marrow transplant: a literature review.

The number of pediatric bone marrow transplants is increasing for malignant and nonmalignant diseases. The number of survivors is also increasing, and their long-term health and protection from infection is increasingly important. To prevent infections, it is standard practice to re-immunize pediatric patients after bone marrow transplant (BMT) using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention immunization guidelines; however, surveys in the United States and other parts of the world indicate that many BMT patients do not receive all the recommended immunizations. A literature review was conducted to identify research based on evidence for immunization following BMT and to recognize barriers to the process. Also, the immunization clinical guidelines from 2000 and 2011 for patients following BMT were compared and an updated clinical protocol and immunization schedule was developed to reflect the current evidence, encourage a change in practice, and discourage fragmented care.

High white blood cell concentration in the peripheral blood stem cell product can induce seizures during infusion of autologous peripheral blood stem cells.

Seizures as a complication of the infusion of autologous peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) are rare. Seizures during infusion of autologous PBSC in 3 of our patients prompted us to review our cell therapy and cytapheresis protocols and procedures. We retrospectively analyzed 159 adult patients collected between January 2006 and July 2009. Patients were collected on either the COBE Spectra (Caridian BCT, Lakewood, CO) cell separator (n = 85) or Fresenius AS (Fresenius Kabi AG, Bad Homburg, Germany) 104 cell separator (n = 74) and mobilized with granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) alone (n = 47), G-CSF and Plerixafor (n = 36), or G-CSF and chemotherapy (n = 76). Patient characteristics (including age, weight, number of collections, volume processed, disease type, and mobilization strategy) did not differ significantly between the COBE and Fresenius cohorts, and adverse effects from infusion were similar except for 3 of 159 patients who experienced seizures upon infusion of PBSC; all 3 were collected on the COBE and had PBSC product white blood cell (WBC) counts of 590 × 10(3)/µL or above. We prospectively correlated WBC counts midcollection, with final WBC counts to identify products with high WBC concentration during cytapheresis. Fifty-one patients had 66 cytapheresis procedures using the COBE, with WBC counts midway and at the end of collection of 287 × 10(3) ± 150/µL and 273 × 10(3) ± 144/µL, respectively. Mid-WBC therefore correlated with WBC at the end of the collection. Finally, we prospectively collected mid-WBC from 65 patients who underwent 80 PBSC collections between June 2009 and January 2010 to identify products with midcollection WBC concentration >450 × 10(3)/µL. In those cases, additional autologous plasma was collected at the time of collection to dilute the final product before cryopreservation. Patients who received diluted products experienced no delays in engraftment and no additional seizure episodes occurred.

Recent advances in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation has been an important treatment modality in the management of high-risk or relapsed childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Analysis of its efficacy has been based mostly on stratification of patients by epidemiologic criteria such as disease status at transplantation, type of donor, and conditioning regimens used. The outcome has improved only marginally over the years, with the improvement attributable mainly to better supportive care. Leukemia recurrence remains a major cause of treatment failure. Recent investigations have focused on the biology of the underlying malignancy and on transplant alloreactivity. The results of these investigations may provide a better scientific approach to indications for transplantation, donor selection, and disease monitoring.