Keywords
Childhood cancer
Risk factors
Infectious complications
How to Cite
Abstract
Infectious complications in childhood cancer contribute to increased morbidity and mortality. Factors predisposing to infection include malignancy- related immune dysregulation, cytotoxic chemotherapy-induced myelosuppression, high-dose corticosteroid use, the presence of indwelling venous catheters, malnutrition, frequent and prolonged hospital stays, and coexisting HIV infection. In the southern African context, infectious complications are associated with worse clinical outcomes than in higher-income countries. More region-specific research is needed to improve patient management and increase survival rates.
References
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