Abstract:

Objective · To investigate the changes of neutrophils and lymphocytes during chemotherapy courses in children with high-risk neuroblastoma, as well as severe infection rate and its relationship with combination chemotherapy regimens in order to provide guidance to prevent infection in these children. Methods · A total of 45 cases of children with high-risk neuroblastoma, who were hospitalized in Xinhua Hospital from July 2012 to September 2015 were recruited. Reactions after chemotherapy and the results of routine blood tests on every 5 days during the whole chemotherapy circles were recorded. Follow-up visits were carried out to learn the infection occurrence. Results · The counts of neutrophils and lymphocytes dropped to the minimum at the 10th day or so during chemotherapy, then rised near the 15th day. Infections were negatively correlated with the numbers of neutrophils (r =-0.245) and lymphocytes (r =-0.227) at the 10th day. Persistent lymphopenia occured after the forth course of chemotherapy. Rate of grade Ⅳ bone marrow suppression after chemotherapy was 90%, and severe infection rate was 15.5%. There were significant differences in the rates of grade Ⅲ bone marrow suppression (P=0.008), grade Ⅳ bone marrow suppression (P=0.001) and severe infection (P=0.010) among the 3 combination chemotherapy regimens used in high-risk neuroblastoma children. Conclusion · Children with high-risk neuroblastoma had obviously high rates of bone marrow suppression and severe infection after chemotherapy, especially after cyclophosphamide+doxorubicin+vincristine regimens. More attention should be paid to this group of children and preventive measures were worthy of taking into account.

Key words: neuroblastoma, high-risk group, chemotherapy, infection