Diarrhea in neutropenic children with cancer: An Egyptian center experience, with emphasis on neutropenic enterocolitis

Abstract Background: Diarrhea is a frequent complication in children with cancer who received intensive chemotheraputic regimens. It may be caused by several factors, neutropenic enterocolitis (NE) being the most serious. Aim: To study diarrhea in neutropenic cancer patients in the pediatric age group, with its underlying etiologies and risk factors, especially the bacterial causes, with special concern on NE. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out at the Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Units, Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt, from January 2009 to September 2010. All children with malignant diseases who are ≤12 years of age were included. Patients who were neutropenic (