Comparative Effectiveness of Antibacterial Prophylaxis During Induction Chemotherapy in Children with Down Syndrome and Acute Leukemia

Background

I will work to determine the effect that the administration of prophylactic antibiotics to Trisomy 21 patients receiving induction chemotherapy has on their mortality, since it is known that patients with Down Syndrome are at a higher risk for both Leukemia and more severe outcomes (such as infections) of Leukemia.

Project Goal

Dr. Fisher and CHOP are members of the Children's Oncology Group, an international group that performs clinical trials in pediatric cancer patients. Additionally, CHOP participates and has access to the Pediatric Health Information System database that includes information from forty-five hospitals nationwide. These two resources will provide the necessary information to take on this project.