Systematic review of case reports of neutropenic enterocolitis in children with hematologic malignancies

Abstract

Neutropenic Enterocolitis (NE) is a gastrointestinal disease that is a quite rare disease but life threatening and one of the primary cause of mortality, NE predominantly affect immunocompromised children. Pediatric malignancies, specifically pediatric leukemia, are one of the primary causes of mortality. Leukemias, including Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), Acute Myeloblastic Leukemia (AML), and Chronic Myeloblastic Leukemia (CML), are a substantial component of juvenile cancers. Of these, ALL is the most common, with the highest occurrence between the ages of 2 and 5. Chemotherapy is the major treatment for juvenile leukemia and has been successful in obtaining survival rates of above 90%. Nevertheless, there are consequences associated with it, such as Neutropenic Enterocolitis (NE). Neutropenic patients may get Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC), which can occur when bacteria pass through the weakened intestinal lining as a result of chemotherapy. Common symptoms of this condition encompass stomach pain, diarrhea, and neutropenia, while severe complications may involve sepsis and gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Early detection and comprehension are crucial due to the non-specific nature of its presentation. Further emphasize the importance of NE management in the field of pediatric oncology.