Pulmonary infections in pediatric hematology and oncology

Groll AH, Werner C, Tebbe J, Solopova G, Becker K, Kuhn J, Lehrnbecher T

Abstract

Pneumonia is the most frequent invasive tissue infection in children and adolescents with neoplastic diseases or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and is associated with considerable mortality. Given the favorable prognosis of most pediatric cancers, the availability of reliable microbiological methods and effective antimicrobial and supportive interventions, a prompt and rational approach to diagnosis and treatment is of pivotal importance. This article reviews the differential diagnosis of invasive infections of the lower airways in this vulnerable patient population and provides algorithms for the diagnosis and management.