Varicella-Zoster Virus Infection in Children With Malignancy

Aim: Varicella-zoster virus infection is one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in patients with malignancy. Although there are research studies which aim to decrease complications by vaccination and antiviral prophylaxis, mortality rate is still high. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical course and prognosis of varicella-zoster virus infection in patients with leukemia and solid tumor in hospitalized patients at the Cukurova University Faculty of Medicine Pediatric Infectious Department. Materials and Methods: Between January 2004 and March 2008, records of 72 malignant patients diagnosed as having VZV infection and hospitalized at Cukurova University Pediatric Infection Department were examined retrospectively. Results: Fifty (70%) of 72 patients had chickenpox, and 22 (30%) patients had zona zoster. The diagnoses of 34 (47%) and 38 (53%) patients were leukemia and solid tumor, respectively. The most common complaints of the two groups were fever and rash. While dissemination was not seen in patients with zona zoster, pneumonia developed in 12 patients with chickenpox. In patients with chickenpox, mean white blood cell count, mean rash days, the length of fever and acylovir therapy were 2281 +/- 2813 mm(3), 6.78 +/- 1.24 days, 3.17 +/- 1 days and 11.58 +/- 2.94 days, respectively. In patients with zona zoster, mean white blood cell count, mean rash days, the length of fever and acylovir therapy were 3311 +/- 2520 mm3, 5.5 +/- 1.2 days, 2.3 +/- 0.94 days, 10.6 +/- 1.76 days, respectively. All patients were discharged from hospital without any complication. Conclusion: Proper treatment of varicella-zoster infection with acyclovir might decrease the complications in children with malignancy.