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Neutropenic Enterocolitis in Children with Acute Leukemia or Aplastic Anemia

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Abstract

Neutropenic enterocolitis (NE) and acute appendicitis are life-threatening conditions that develop in children with severe or prolonged neutropenia secondary to acute leukemia and lymphoma. The medical records of 118 patients who were treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (69 patients), acute myelogenous leukemia (22 patients), or aplastic anemia (27 patients) between 1997 and 2006 in our hospital pediatric hematology department were examined retrospectively. NE was diagnosed in 11 patients (age range, 2.5–16 years) on the basis of clinical and laboratory features. Two of these 11 patients had appendicitis in addition to NE. Conservative treatment was favored for all patients, but 1 patient with acute appendicitis underwent surgery. Neutropenic patients with a hematologic malignancy and abdominal pain should receive their diagnoses immediately and undergo treatment. NE and acute appendicitis should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of abdominal pain. Conservative treatment must be choseninitially for patients with NE, and these patients should be evaluated carefully for surgery. The criteria for the surgical process are the same as those for immunocompetent children. In addition, the close monitoring of hematologic factors is necessary.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatric Hematology, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, 6. Cadde 72/3,06490, Bahcelievler, Ankara, Turkey

    Bulent Alioglu, Zekai Avci & Namik Ozbek

  2. Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology Unit, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey

    Figen Ozcay

  3. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Baskent University, Ankara, Turkey

    Serdar Arda

Authors
  1. Bulent Alioglu
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  2. Zekai Avci
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  3. Figen Ozcay
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  4. Serdar Arda
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  5. Namik Ozbek
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Correspondence to Bulent Alioglu.

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Alioglu, B., Avci, Z., Ozcay, F. et al. Neutropenic Enterocolitis in Children with Acute Leukemia or Aplastic Anemia. Int J Hematol 86, 364–368 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1532/IJH97.E0739

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1532/IJH97.E0739

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