Efficacy of recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor in very-low-birth-weight infants with early neutropenia

J Formos Med Assoc. 2015 Feb;114(2):174-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jfma.2012.10.009. Epub 2012 Nov 26.

Abstract

Background/purpose: Neutropenia is a risk factor for nosocomial infections (NI) in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. Although recombinant human granulocyte colony stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) increases the neutrophil counts in neutropenic VLBW infants, its long-term efficacy for early neutropenia (EN) remains unknown.

Methods: In this case-controlled study, charts of VLBW recipients of rhG-CSF for EN (total neutrophil count <1.5 × 10(9)/L during first 7 days) were reviewed and compared to gestational age, total neutrophil count, and birth weight matched infants unexposed to rhG-CSF.

Results: Twenty-seven infants were identified in each group. Mortality and morbidity did not differ between the two groups. Rate of NI (16/27 vs. 4/27, p = 0.002, odds ratio = 8.36) as well as the total number of episodes of NI (22 vs. 4, p = 0.007) were higher in rhG-CSF (+) group than in the rhG-CSF (-) group.

Conclusion: Our experience does not show benefit in empirical use of rhG-CSF in preventing NI in VLBW infants with EN.

Keywords: granulocyte-colony-stimulating-factor; neutropenia; nosocomial infection; very-low-birth-weight.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Female
  • Florida
  • Gestational Age
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature*
  • Infant, Very Low Birth Weight*
  • Intensive Care Units, Neonatal
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Neutropenia / complications
  • Neutropenia / drug therapy*
  • Neutropenia / mortality
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor