Assessment of the Prevalence of Infections in Pediatric Patients With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Infections cause notable treatment-related morbidity during pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma (ALL/LLy) therapy. Infections are the most critical cause of morbidity and mortality in children undergoing treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Children with ALL, who are frequently underweight, are at increased risk of community-acquired pathogens, nosocomial multidrug-resistant pathogens, and opportunistic microorganisms. A weakened immune system from ALL itself and chemotherapy's side effects further worsen the prognosis. PubMed and Google Scholar articles were curated in a Google document with shared access. Discussion and development of the paper were achieved over Zoom meetings. This narrative review aims to analyze and summarize various pathogens responsible for infections in children receiving treatment for ALL and their treatment regimen and prophylaxis. The incidence of viral infection is higher in ALL patients, followed by bacterial and fungal infections. Prevention via prophylaxis and timely initiation of treatment is essential for positive outcomes.