Infectious control in pediatric oncology unit

The aim of this work is to review common microorganisms that play role in infection in children with cancer and different ways to prevent or decrease its incidence to achieve suitable control of the disease. This work also reviews ways of contamination through out medical workers and give necessary advices which must be taken to avoid occurrence of infection in pediatric oncology unit. Infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with neoplastic disease because of compromised host defenses. These defects result in an increased risk of infection and its complications. Therapy-induced neutropenia is the most important factor for infectious risk in pediatric patients with cancer, but other factors, such as alterations in skin/mucosal barriers, and defects in cell-mediated or humoral immunity also contribute to the risk for infection. Infection continues to be the most common complication associated with neutropenia. Bacterial infections predominate during the early phases of a neutropenic episode, whereas most fungal and some viral infections are more common in patients with persistent neutropenia. The spectrum of bacterial infection continues to change and is influenced by several factors, including the nature and intensity of chemotherapy, antimicrobial prophylaxis, and the use of catheters and other medical devices. Invasive fungal infections are important causes of morbidity and mortality in pediatric cancer patients with hematological malignancies and following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.