Adverse effects of Anticancer Chemotherapy in Childhood Cancer: A Prospective Study in a Moroccan hospital

Abstract

Objective: To determine the incidence and frequency of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) induced by cancer chemotherapy in pediatric inpatients. Patients and methods: This was a six-month prospective observational study in the pediatric hematology-oncology department of the children's hospital of Rabat. This study took into account ADRs manifested by in inpatient children and undergoing cancer chemotherapy. A modified version of the Moroccan Poison Control and Pharmacovigilance Centre's notification form was used to collect demographic, clinical, cancer treatment and ADR-related data. The causality, severity and preventability were assessed for each adverse event. Results: 106 patients out of 118 followed have developed a total of 266 ADRs. The most frequent ADRs were anemia (14.3%), infections (9.4%), leukopenia (8.6%) and fever (8.3%). Vincristine (16.3%), etoposide (14%) and cytarabine (13%) were the most frequently administered products. Cytarabine followed by etoposide were the drugs most involved in ADRs. The majority of ADRs (55.6%) were probable according to the WHO method of causality assessment. Conclusion: Cancer chemotherapy is associated with a high risk of developing ADRs, particularly hematological ADRs in children. Pediatric patients receiving cytarabine and daunorubicin combinations and regimens including anthracyclines should receive more attention. Risk management plans need to be implemented by health care teams in this area.

Cultural care behaviors of multidisciplinary health workers in preventing neutropenic fever in children with leukemia after chemotherapy: an Ethnonursing study

“…These health workers collaborated in identifying problems and providing education and support for the patients and their families. Education about diet to meet nutritional needs during illness is crucial, especially for pediatric patients with leukemia after chemotherapy, as their immunity decreases (Adade et al, 2022). Past research indicates that children with cancer presented undernutrition.…”

“…The nurse works are links with other professional work, and no single profession can prevent the occurrence of neutropenia; however, this study also indicates that most work is just a daily routine, while multidisciplinary consultation discussions or meetings for special or cases were rarely performed. Various effects that emerge after pediatric patients get chemotherapy include anemia, infection, leukopenia, and fever should be anticipated to prevent infection or complications by the medical team (Adade et al, 2022). Furthermore, the medical team is supposed to give antibiotics after the pediatric patients have chemotherapy as administration of antibiotics effectively reduces the risk of neutropenic fever (Owattanapanich and Chayakulkeeree, 2019).…”

“…After chemotherapy, children with leukemia usually encounter various side-effects, including leukopenia and fever, caused by adverse drug reactions (ADRs) (Adade et al, 2022). As neutrophils are one of the components of white blood cells or leukocytes, neutropenia can occur when someone has a low leukocyte count.…”

“…Cancer patients with neutropenic fever are particularly susceptible to infectious complications. Various effects that emerge after pediatric patients get chemotherapy include anemia, infection, leukopenia, and fever; this condition is known as adverse drug reactions (ADRs) (Adade et al, 2022). To anticipate infection or complications, the multidisciplinary medical team will administer antibiotics to pediatric patients following chemotherapy.…”