Elective splenectomy in children with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to review the safety and efficacy of elective splenectomy in children with idiopathic (immune) thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP). METHODS: The authors reviewed the medical records of children with ITP treated with elective splenectomy at Children's Medical Center of Dallas since 1961. Indication for splenectomy was symptomatic thrombocytopenia unresponsive to medical management. RESULTS: Thirty-eight evaluable patients who had elective splenectomy for ITP were identified. Twenty-one (55%) were girls and 17 (45%) were boys. Twenty-two had splenectomy since January 1990. Age at diagnosis ranged from 6 months to 15.9 years (median 9 years), and age at splenectomy ranged from 3.6 to 16.4 years (median 11.8). Laparoscopic splenectomy was performed in 11 patients. No patient died and only one (2.6%) had postoperative hemorrhage. There were no other complications related to surgery. No cases of postsplenectomy sepsis were observed. At follow-up ranging from 1 month to 19.9 years (median 2.1 years), 29 patients (76.3%) had a normal platelet count (>150 x 109/L) and 4 (10.5%) had a platelet count between 50 and 150 x 109/L. Only two of the five (13.2%) remaining patients who continued to have a platelet count less than 50 x 109/L had hemorrhagic manifestations necessitating intermittent therapy with corticosteroids. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic or open splenectomy is a safe and effective procedure for children with chronic or refractory ITP and should be considered when medical management fails or causes excessive toxicity.     

Increased bone marrow angiogenesis in children with severe chronic neutropenia treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor

Severe chronic neutropenia (SCN) is a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by chronically low neutrophil counts and recurrent infections. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) is the mainstay of treatment, and evidence exists that G-CSF may promote angiogenesis. To evaluate the effects of G-CSF on angiogenesis in children with SCN, the authors assessed microvessel density in bone marrow biopsies from nine children with SCN before starting G-CSF treatment and while receiving G-CSF. In all patients, microvessel density was greater in the on-treatment biopsy. Increased angiogenesis may result from a direct effect of G-CSF on endothelial cells or may be an indirect effect from increased neutrophils.     

Chronic neutropenia during childhood. A 13-year experience in a single institution

To evaluate the clinical course and characteristics of children with chronic neutropenia, we reviewed the charts of all such patients seen at our center during a 13-year period. A total of 50 patients with chronic neutropenia were identified. Three patients had documented congenital neutropenia, and two siblings had cyclic neutropenia. The remaining 45 children had chronic neutropenia of unknown origin. All children except two had a remarkably benign course despite markedly reduced granulocyte counts. Of six girls in this group who had abscess or cellulitis of the labia majora, it was a presenting manifestation in three. Resolution of neutropenia was documented in 23 (62%) of 37 patients for whom follow-up information was available, with a median duration of neutropenia of 19 months. No differences were evident between patients with positive antineutrophil antibody test results and those in whom the test yielded negative results or was not performed. Chronic neutropenia in childhood is a relatively uncommon entity, characterized by a benign course and eventual resolution in the majority of patients.     

Randomized comparison of antibiotics with and without granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in children with chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia: a report from the Children's Oncology Group

PURPOSE: To determine if granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) with empirical antibiotics accelerates febrile neutropenia resolution compared with antibiotics without it. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible children were treated without prophylactic G-CSF and presented with fever (temperature >38.3 degrees C) and neutropenia afterward. Patients with acute myelogenous leukemia and myelodysplastic syndrome were excluded. Assignments were randomized between G-CSF (5 microg/kg/day) or none beginning within 24 hr of antibiotics. Subcutaneous administration was recommended, but intravenous G-CSF was allowed. Patients remained on study until absolute neutrophil count (ANC) >500/microl and > or =48 hr without fever. RESULTS: One of 67 patients enrolled was ineligible, 59 had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Thirty-four were assigned to antibiotics, 32 to G-CSF plus antibiotics. Adding G-CSF significantly reduced neutropenia and febrile neutropenia recovery times. Median days to febrile neutropenia resolution was nine earlier with G-CSF (4 vs. 13 days) (P < 0.0001). However, there was no difference in the resolution of fever between arms. Hospitalization median was shorter by 1 day with G-CSF (4 vs. 5 days) (P = 0.04). There was no difference in the duration of IV and oral antibiotic treatment, addition of antifungal therapy, and shock incidence. A trend for decreased incidence of late fever with G-CSF was noted (6.3 vs. 23.5%) (P = 0.08). CONCLUSIONS: Adding G-CSF to empiric antibiotic coverage accelerates chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia resolution by 9 days in pediatric patients, mainly with ALL, which results in a small but significant difference in the median length of hospitalization.     

Risk of infectious complications in well-appearing children with transient neutropenia

To determine whether well-appearing children found incidentally to be neutropenic are at risk for an infectious complication, 44 consecutive months of hematology laboratory records were reviewed. One hundred nineteen patients had medical record documentation regarding clinical course, serial white blood cell counts, and the absence of serious infections, chronic illnesses, or a family history known to be associated with neutropenia. The median duration of documented neutropenia was 13 days (range, 1 to 491 days). Infectious complications occurred in 4 of the 36 patients who had neutropenia for more than 30 days (2 with stomatitis, 1 with cellulitis, and 1 with pneumonia) but in none with shorter durations of neutropenia. There were no significant associations between the development of an infectious complication and either the initial absolute neutrophil count or the lowest documented absolute neutrophil count, nor was there a correlation between the initial absolute neutrophil count and the duration of neutropenia. These data indicate that infectious complications occur in otherwise well children with unexplained neutropenia that persists, but these infections are infrequent and usually are superficial.     

Serum granulocyte colony-stimulating factor levels are not increased in patients with autoimmune neutropenia of infancy

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) in autoimmune neutropenia (AIN). DESIGN: Serum G-CSF levels were measured in 57 children with AIN. Two different G-CSF-dependent assays were used: a solid-phase "sandwich" enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and a proliferation assay. Sera from healthy persons and from patients with severe congenital neutropenia were used for negative and positive controls. RESULTS: The median G-CSF level in healthy persons (n = 13) was low, 45.6 pg/mL (range <39 to 141 pg/mL). The median G-CSF level in patients with AIN (n = 57) was very similar, 45.5 pg/mL (range <39 to 2500 pg/mL). Forty-five (79%) of 57 patients with AIN had levels within the range of the control group. Seven (12%) had marginally increased G-CSF levels (141 to 400 pg/mL), and only 5 (9%) had levels higher than 400 pg/mL. The G-CSF levels measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay correlated well with levels measured by the proliferation assay, thus demonstrating that antibodies present in patient sera did not affect the biologic activity of G-CSF. CONCLUSION: G-CSF production in AIN is not increased despite the low neutrophil count, similar to thrombopoietin in immune thrombocytopenic purpura.     

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor ameliorates toxicity of intensification chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia

BACKGROUND: Intensification chemotherapy improves the prognosis for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but results in considerable morbidity, primarily due to myelosuppression with resultant neutropenia. Recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) shortens neutropenia following intensive chemotherapy, but potential benefits in the therapy of ALL remain inadequately explored. Accordingly, a randomized, crossover study was undertaken to clarify this issue. PROCEDURE: Seventeen children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia or T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma and treated on standard protocols were randomized to receive G-CSF following either the first or second intensification blocks of chemotherapy. G-CSF was administered as a single daily subcutaneous injection of 5 mcg/kg from day 9 following the start of intensification therapy, and continued until the neutrophil count exceeded 0.5 x 10(9)/l for 3 days. Study endpoints were days of neutropenia (neutrophils < 1 x 10(9)/l) and severe neutropenia (neutrophils < 0.5 x 10(9)/l), days in hospital, days of fever, and days on antibiotics. RESULTS: There were significant reductions in the duration of neutropenia (95% confidence interval 3.8-8 days, P = 0.0001), severe neutropenia (95% confidence interval 1.8-7.4 days, P = 0.002), and days in hospital (95% confidence interval 0.9-6.3 days, P = 0.01) for children receiving G-CSF. Overall, the duration of neutropenia was longer following the second block (95% confidence interval 2.2-6.4 days, P = 0.0003), but this difference was abolished by G-CSF, and children, receiving G-CSF after the second intensification were more likely to restart maintenance chemotherapy on schedule (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: G-CSF reduces the hematological toxicity of intensification chemotherapy and may allow improved compliance with treatment scheduling.     

超声引导内镜下逆行阑尾炎治疗术在阑尾相关慢性腹痛患儿中的应用价值北大核心CSCD

目的 探讨超声引导内镜下逆行阑尾炎治疗术在儿童阑尾相关慢性腹痛中的临床疗效。方法 回顾性收集2019年8月至2021年5月收治的以慢性腹痛为主诉,超声提示阑尾炎症或腔内粪便或粪石且行超声引导内镜下逆行阑尾炎治疗术患儿30例的临床资料,分析其临床表现、内镜下表现、白细胞计数及中性粒细胞百分比、住院时间、治愈率。结果 30例慢性腹痛患儿中,男童13例(43%),女童17例(57%),平均确诊年龄(9±3)岁,年龄范围3~15岁,中位病程持续时间12个月,中位住院时间3 d;中位白细胞计数6.7×10^(9)/L,中性粒细胞百分比为(50±13)%。21例(70%)术中阑尾腔内冲洗出粪石及大量粪渣。随访率97%(29/30),中位随访时间11(范围:5~26)个月,27例(93%)腹痛症状完全消失。结论 超声引导内镜下逆行阑尾炎治疗术对阑尾腔内粪便或粪石引起的儿童慢性腹痛治疗有效。     

Osteoporosis in children with severe congenital neutropenia: bone mineral density and treatment with bisphosphonates

A high incidence of decreased bone mineral density (BMD) has been described in patients with severe congenital neutropenia (SCN). The objectives of the study are to describe changes in BMD in children with SCN treated with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and evaluate the response to treatment with bisphosphonates in those who had osteoporosis. A prospective open-label study was performed evaluating BMD and metabolism in 9 Chilean patients with SCN, administrating bisphosphonates in those with osteoporosis. Follow-up ranged between 7 months and 3.5 years. Six out of 9 patients had reduced BMD on initial assessment: 3 had osteoporosis (z score <-2) and 3 had osteopenia (z score <-1). Four children presented vertebral fractures. Two presented osteopenia on follow-up without clinical symptoms. Five patients were treated with bisphosphonates, increasing their BMD z score (mean increase 1.2, range 0.27 to 2.62). z Score of hydroxyproline/creatinine ratios, which was elevated in 4 patients with osteoporosis, decreased during treatment (mean decrease 2.18, range 1.56 to 2.53). Four patients remodeled and reexpanded fractured vertebrae during treatment. No side effects of bisphosphonates were seen on follow-up. Osteoporosis is an important comorbidity in SCN patients probably due to increased bone resorption. Bisphosphonates seem to be an effective treatment for osteoporosis in these patients.     

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor in neutropenic, pediatric solid tumor patients following chemotherapy

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been used to reduce the duration and/or degree of neutropenia of different etiologies in recent years. In this study, experience with the use of G-CSF (Neupogen, Roche) after 123 courses of highly myelosuppressive chemotherapy administered to 31 (20 female, 11 male) patients with pediatric solid tumors is reported. G-CSF was initialed at a white blood cell (WBC) count of 918 ± 452/μL (100-2000), at a dose of 7.6 ± 2.3 μg/kgl/d (5-14) subcutaneously for 5.2 ± 2.4 days (2-18). G-CSF was given for afebrile neutropenia after 82 and for febrile neutropenia after 41 courses. Only in two episodes where G-CSF was given for afebrile neutropenia, fever developed. The average hospitalization period for febrile neutropenia was 9.8 ± 3.3 days (5-20). Chemotherapy could be given on scheduled time and dosage in 90% of the courses in which G-CSF was used for afebrile neutropenia. G-CSF was well tolerated. Bone pain was observed in two patients and urticaria in one patient. In conclusion, G-CSF increased the WBC count effectively, there were only two febrile episodes in 82 courses in children receiving G-CSF for afebrile neutropenia, it was well tolerated, and it was found to be feasible for use in a developing country.     

Clinical characteristics of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenia in Chinese children

PURPOSES: Clinical course and treatment outcome of childhood chronic ITP are quite variable in the literature. We report in the current paper our observation on the clinical behavior of chronic ITP in Chinese children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review (Jan. 1990 to Dec. 2000) of children having low platelet count (plt <150 x 10(9)/L) for more than 6 months without identifiable cause. The indication for treatment was plt < or =20 x 10(9)/L. Remission is defined as plt > or =150 x 10(9)/L. RESULTS: Thirty-four children were identified within these 11 years. Their median age at diagnosis was 6.7 years (range from 0.4 to 16.8 years). The M:F ratio was 16:18. Bone marrow aspiration was performed in 30/34 cases. The median plt count at presentation was 24 x 10(9)/L (range 2 to 135 x 10(9)/L). Fourteen of 34 (41%) children eventually achieved durable remission. The chance of remission at 5 years was 66.62% with a median follow-up time of 5.86 years (range 0.72 to 10.41 years). Concerning therapy, 17/34 (50%) required no treatment while for the remaining 17, treatment included steroid (n = 16), IVIG (n = 7) or splenectomy (n = 3). In spite of temporary improvement in most, treatment induced prolonged complete remission (plt >150 x 10(9)/L) in only 2 patients. Twenty of 31 tested had abnormal immune marker(s) at presentation but none evolved into specific autoimmune disease later on. There was no correlation between the remission status, response to treatment, and the presence of autoimmune markers. CONCLUSION: About half of our chronic ITP patients achieved remission within 5 years. Medical treatment does not seem to alter the natural course of the disease but induced a transient response in most cases. Positive autoimmune markers are common among chronic ITP patients and have no significance in predicting outcome.     

Editorial: Parotid Carcinomas Following the Treatment of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been used to reduce the duration and/or degree of neutropenia of different etiologies in recent years. In this study, experience with the use of G-CSF (Neupogen, Roche) after 123 courses of highly myelosuppressive chemotherapy administered to 31 (20 female, 11 male) patients with pediatric solid tumors is reported. G-CSF was initialed at a white blood cell (WBC) count of 918 ± 452/μL (100–2000), at a dose of 7.6 ± 2.3 μg/kgl/d (5–14) subcutaneously for 5.2 ± 2.4 days (2–18). G-CSF was given for afebrile neutropenia after 82 and for febrile neutropenia after 41 courses. Only in two episodes where G-CSF was given for afebrile neutropenia, fever developed. The average hospitalization period for febrile neutropenia was 9.8 ± 3.3 days (5–20). Chemotherapy could be given on scheduled time and dosage in 90% of the courses in which G-CSF was used for afebrile neutropenia. G-CSF was well tolerated. Bone pain was observed in two patients and urticaria in one patient. In conclusion, G-CSF increased the WBC count effectively, there were only two febrile episodes in 82 courses in children receiving G-CSF for afebrile neutropenia, it was well tolerated, and it was found to be feasible for use in a developing country.     

CD25抗体预防移植物抗宿主病在儿童白血病半匹配骨髓移植中的应用

目的　探讨CD2 5抗体用于预防儿童白血病半匹配未去除T细胞骨髓移植重度移植物抗宿主病 (GVHD)的疗效。方法　 10例儿童白血病患者接受人类白细胞抗原 (HLA) 2～ 3个位点不合半匹配骨髓移植 ,移植方法除了供者用粒细胞集落刺激因子 (G CSF)及受者应用环孢素A(CSA)、氨甲蝶呤 (MTX)、抗胸腺细胞球蛋白 (ATG ,FreseniusHemocare ,Germany)和霉酚酸酯 (MMF)预防GVHD的综合措施外 ,加用抗CD2 5单克隆抗体 (舒莱 ,novartispharmaswitzerland)预防GVHD ,剂量各为 2 0mg ,在移植前 2h和移植后第 4天应用 ,观察移植后的疗效 ,移植结果与前期未用CD2 5抗体移植组作回顾性比较。结果　 10例移植后均获造血重建 ,粒细胞 >0 5× 10 9/L的中位天数是 19d ,血小板大于 2 0× 10 9/L的中位天数是 2 2d ,骨髓植活直接证据检测证实为完全供者造血。无一例发生急性Ⅱ～Ⅳ度GVHD ,未用CD2 5抗体对照组 8例中发生急性Ⅱ～Ⅳ度GVHD有 4例 ,差异有显著性(P =0 0 14 7)。可评价慢性GVHD的 8例均发生慢性GVHD ,为局限性慢性GVHD。中位随访 12个月 (范围 9～ 2 4个月 ) ,2例为移植相关死亡 ,1例移植后 14个月因复发死亡 ,实际无病生存率是70 %。结论　儿童半匹配未去除T细胞骨髓移植中应用舒莱 ,明显降低急性重症GVHD发生 ,临床     

13例Wiskott-Aldrich综合征临床特征分析

目的 研究Wiskott-Aldrich综合征（WAS）患儿的临床特征。方法 对13例WAS患儿的临床资料进行回顾性分析。结果 13例患儿均为男性,发病年龄3（1~48）月,确诊年龄24（1~60）月。13例患儿中仅3例为典型WAS,余10例均为X-连锁血小板减少症（XLT）。WAS评分为2（1~3）分,血小板计数为20.5（13~46）×10⁹/L,平均血小板体积为8.1（6.7~12.1） fl。4例患儿行淋巴细胞亚群及免疫球蛋白检查,其中淋巴细胞占有核细胞百分比及CD3⁺T细胞占淋巴细胞百分比均减低者1例（25%）;CD3^-CD56⁺NK细胞占淋巴细胞百分比减低者1例（25%）;IgG升高者1例（25%）,IgM下降者2例（50%）,IgA下降者1例（25%）,4例患儿IgE均升高（100%）。13例患儿共发现13种14个基因突变,其中错义突变9例（65%）,剪接突变2例（14%）,无义突变2例（14%）,移码突变1例（7%）。随访39（3~62）个月,13例患儿均存活。结论 Wiskott-Aldrich综合征发病年龄小,男性为主,主要临床特征为血小板减少伴血小板体积缩小,基因突变以错义突变为主。     

Prospective randomized trial between two doses of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor after ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide in children with recurrent or refractory solid tumors: a children's cancer group report

PURPOSE: The objectives of this study were: 1) to compare the time to hematologic recovery (absolute neutrophil count [ANC] > or = 1,000/mm3 and platelet count > or = 100,000/mm3) in a randomized prospective study of two doses of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (5.0 vs. 10.0 microg/kg per day) after ifosfamide, carboplatin, and etoposide (ICE) chemotherapy; and 2) to determine the response rate (complete response [CR] + partial response [PR]) of ICE in children with refractory or recurrent solid tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: From June 1992 until November 1994, 123 patients with recurrent or refractory pediatric solid tumors were treated with ifosfamide (1,800 mg/m2 per day x 5), carboplatin (400 mg/m2 per day x 2), and etoposide (100 mg/m2 per day x 5) and randomized to receive either 5.0 microg/kg per day or 10.0 microg/kg per day of G-CSF subcutaneously until recovery of ANC to > or = 1,000/mm3. RESULTS: The incidence of grade 4 neutropenia during the first course was 88%. Median time from the start of chemotherapy to ANC > or = 1,000/mm(-3) for all patients during courses 1 and 2 was 21 and 19 days, respectively. The incidence of developing platelet count < or = 20,000/mm3 during course 1 was 82%. The median time from the start of the course of chemotherapy to platelet recovery > or =100,000/mm3 for all patients during courses 1 and 2 was 27 days. There was no significant difference in the median time of ANC recovery, platelet recovery, or incidence of grade 4 neutropenia; and in the median days of fever and the incidence of infections requiring hospitalization and intravenous antibiotics during courses 1 and 2, there was no significant difference between the two doses of G-CSF. One hundred eighteen patients were evaluated for response to ICE. The overall response rate (CR + PR) in this study was 51% (90% confidence interval, 43%-59%). The CR rate for all diagnostic categories was 27%. The Kaplan-Meier estimates of 1-year and 2-year survival probabilities for all patients were 52% and 30%, respectively. CONCLUSION: In summary, this combination of chemotherapy (ICE) was associated with a high CR rate (27%) in children with recurrent or refractory solid tumors, but also with a high incidence of grade 4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Doubling the dose of G-CSF from 5.0 to 10.0 microg/kg per day after ICE chemotherapy did not result in an enhancement of neutrophil or platelet recovery or the incidence of grade 4 neutropenia developing.     

Recombinant human interferon alpha-2a therapy in children with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura

BACKGROUND: In a prospective study, 11 children with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura between ages 3 and 18 years were treated with recombinant human interferon alpha 2a (rhIFN alpha-2a). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A dose of 3 x 10(6) U/m2 three times weekly for 4 to 5 weeks (one cycle) was administered. Patients were treated with one to four cycles of rhIFN alpha-2a, and the outcomes were measured initially and 18 to 30 months after the last cycle. RESULTS: Good therapeutic responses (defined as platelet count >100 x 10(9)/L) lasting for 18 to 30 months from the last interferon cycle were achieved in 6 of the 11 (55%) patients, including one with a probable spontaneous remission. Fair responses (platelet count 31-60 x 10(9)/L) for 18 months were achieved in 3 of the 11 (27%) patients. Only two patients, each treated only with one interferon cycle, exhibited no response. Side effects of treatment included fever and a flu-like syndrome, which were usually present during the first 14 days of therapy only. CONCLUSIONS: Interferon-alpha appears to be an effective therapeutic approach to children with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura, with the potential of sustained long-term remission. A randomized, placebo-controlled study is needed to confirm its role in this population.     

Differentiating juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia from chronic myeloid leukemia in childhood

Juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) is a rare clonal myeloproliferative disease of early childhood. To determine the diagnostic features, appropriate treatment, and overall patient survival pertaining to JMML for children, the authors reviewed the clinical data of 16 children with JMML admitted to the National Taiwan University Hospital between 1978 and 2001. Median age at diagnosis was 2.5 years. Fever was the most common symptom at diagnosis. At initial presentation, the mean white blood count and absolute monocyte count were 30 x 10(9)/L and 4.5 x 10(9)/L, respectively. Cytogenetic analysis was performed in 14 patients, and 2 patients (14%) had monosomy 7. Another patient, with normal karyotype at diagnosis, had deletion of 7q22 at the follow-up chromosome study. Forty-seven chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients were also diagnosed and followed at the same hospital during the same interval period. The age, leukocyte counts, platelet counts, basophil counts, monocyte percentages on peripheral blood smears, and median survival rate showed significant differences between JMML and CML patients (P < 0.05). The median survival was 10 months and the probability of 10-month survival was 0.38 by Kaplan-Meier analysis for 12 of the 16 JMML patients who did not receive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Among three patients receiving HSCT, one patient relapsed 9 months after the first HSCT and was treated successfully by a second HSCT from the same sibling donor.     

Transient neutropenia of childhood

Patient characteristics and clinical course are described in 21 children with newly discovered neutropenia (absolute neutrophil count less than 1500/microliter). Only children over age 3 months are included; 19 of 21 were less than age 2 years. The majority had respiratory tract infections and 11 had been on various medications at the time neutropenia was discovered. Bacteria were isolated from the blood of three patients (S. pneumoniae in two, H. influenzae in one) and from urine in one (E. coli). Respiratory syncytial virus was cultured from the nasopharynx of two patients. Opportunistic, gram-negative and staphylococcal infections did not occur. Neutrophil counts in all but one child returned to normal within 6 weeks of onset; half recovered within 7 days. Bone marrow examination was performed in 13 patients: maturation arrest at various stages in the myeloid series was noted in six, and seven had normal myeloid maturation. Bone marrow findings did not correlate with degree or duration of neutropenia. These observations indicate that previously well infants with isolated neutropenia generally have a benign clinical course, although three patients were ultimately proven to have significant chronic illness. Recommendations are made as to management.     

A high prevalence of neutrophil-specific antibodies in ELANE-mutated severe congenital neutropenia

An assay for neutrophil-specific antibodies is frequently used in the workup of chronic severe neutropenia and is suggestive of autoimmune, or sporadically alloimmune neutropenia, rather than severe congenital neutropenia (SCN). We analyzed a neutropenia consortium database for the outcomes of antibody testing initiated before receiving genetic diagnosis in Polish SCN cohort. Test results, performed in a single reference laboratory, were available for 14 patients with ELANE-mutated SCN or cyclic neutropenia, and were frequently positive (36%). We note that the trigger for genetic studies in severe neutropenia should not be affected by antibody-positivity and should be clinically driven.     

Pegfilgrastim in children with severe congenital neutropenia

Two pediatric patients affected by severe congenital neutropenia (SCN) were treated with 100 mcg/L/dose every 9–12 days within a pilot study (Observatory of the Italian Ministry of Health, Eudract Code 2005‐003096‐20) on the use of pegfilgrastim in patients with chronic neutropenia. Both children increased their absolute neutrophil count, reduced their infectious load, and improved their quality of life. Serum concentrations of G‐CSF observed in pegfilgrastim mirrored those seen in filgrastim. These data suggest that pegfilgrastim may be beneficial in SCN patients with an exposure of hematopoietic cells to G‐CSF similar to that on filgrastim. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2010;54:465–467. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.