Efficacy of Granulocyte Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) to Manage Neutropenia in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) and Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (NHL)

Abstract

Introduction: Leukemia and NHL are the two most common malignancies in childhood. Nowadays children with malignant diseases have an excellent chance of survival around 75%. The incidence of neutropenia depends upon several factors including dose intensity, chemotherapy, the prior history of the patient, and the presence or absence of co-morbid condition. Aim of the study: This study aimed to assess the effect of G-CSF on neutropenia in patients of ALL and NHL and to see the duration of fever as compared to the control group. Methods and Materials: Children from 2 years to 12 years of age who had absolute neutrophil count (ANC) <500 /cumm, and attended in Paediatric Hematology and Oncology Department of DMCH, from July 2012 to July ’13 were selected purposively. Data analysis was carried out with the help of SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science) Windows software program. Results: Among 30 patients, 22 ALL patients and 8 NHL patients were included in group A, and 6 ALL patients and 4 NHL patients were included in group B. There was male predominance. The mean ANC was found 710.73±213.3/cumm in group A and 531±307.9/cumm in group B. The mean difference was statistically significant (p<0.05) between the two groups. groups. The mean duration of fever was found 11.07±3.08 days in group A and 13.6±4.03 days in group B which was statistically significant (p<0.05) between the two groups. Conclusion: This study concludes that G-CSF therapy significantly increases the absolute neutrophil count reduces the duration of fever and therefore lowers the infection rate.