ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to describe the pattern of bacterial infections in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Forty-six children with ALL were treated for 119 febrile episodes. Antibiotic therapy was initiated with ampicillin and gentamicin, +/- dicloxacillin and lasted for 5-8 days. Bacterial cultures were positive in 36 of 119 febrile events. At the beginning of the febrile disease there was no difference in CRP and neutrophil count between children with positive and negative blood cultures. The maximum CRP was, however, significantly higher in children with positive blood cultures. In 75% there was no need to change the initial antibiotic treatment with ampicillin and gentamicin +/- dicloxacillin. If the temperature has been normal for 2-3 days and the neutrophil count is increasing it appears safe to discontinue the antibiotic therapy after five days when blood cultures are negative and after 7-8 days when cultures are positive.
