Comparison of febrile neutropenia episodes and outcomes in Turkish versus refugee children with cancer: A single-center experience

Vollständiger Abstract

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Febrile neutropenia (FN) is a frequent and potentially life-threatening complication of chemotherapy in pediatric oncology. Refugee and immigrant children are often considered to be at higher risk for adverse infectious outcomes due to socioeconomic disadvantage, substandard living conditions, and language barriers. This study aimed to compare FN episodes and short-term clinical outcomes between refugee/immigrant and Turkish pediatric oncology patients managed within a universal healthcare system. Materials and Methods: This retrospective, single-center study analyzed 50 FN episodes, with one episode included per patient, occurring between May and July 2022 at a tertiary pediatric oncology center. Patients were stratified by residency status as Turkish citizens (n=31) or refugee/immigrant children (n=19), primarily Syrian refugees under temporary protection. Comparative analyses included demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, microbiological findings, treatment characteristics, length of hospital stay (LOS), and socioeconomic parameters. Group comparisons were performed using Chi-square and Mann–Whitney U tests. Results: Refugee families demonstrated significantly greater socioeconomic disadvantage, with 94.7% having household incomes at or below the minimum wage compared with 38.7% of Turkish families (p