Outcomes of Febrile Children Presumed to be Immunocompetent Who Present with Leukopenia or Neutropenia to an Ambulatory Setting

Abstract

To determine significant medical outcomes in febrile children presenting to an ambulatory setting with neutropenia and/or leukopenia. Methods: Retrospective medical record review conducted on febrile patients who had a blood culture drawn, with white blood cell counts less than 5,000/mm3 and/or an absolute neutrophil count less than 1000/mm3. Ninety-one patients were identified; 5 with positive blood culture results, 13 with significant non-oncologic disease, and 3 patients with leukemia who had involvement of 2 or more cell lines. Conclusions: In the majority of patients, clinical judgment, physical findings, and review of all cell lines of the complete blood cell count identified those with significant disease.