The Management of Young Children With a Likely Infectious Condition Presenting Moderate to Severe Neutropenia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to describe the outcome of healthy children presenting with newly-diagnosed neutropenia in an infectious context. RESULTS: A total of 184 episodes of neutropenia were included in children 3 months to 5 years of age. There were 118 (64%) episodes of moderate neutropenia and 66 (36%) of severe neutropenia (SN). SN episodes were more likely related to intensification of antibiotic regimen used and further investigations. The median duration of neutropenia was 8.5 days. Chronic benign neutropenia occurred in 7 (4%) patients. CONCLUSION: SN led to intensification of antibiotic therapy, but no children encountered an unfavorable outcome and the neutropenia episodes were short-lived.