In a large population of children, common clinical and laboratory admission parameters were identified that can help predict the risk for an invasive bacterial infection. These results encourage the possibility of a more selective management strategy for these children.

A risk prediction model for invasive bacterial infection (IBI) was prospectively evaluated among children presenting with cancer, fever, and neutropenia. The model incorporated assessment of 5 previously identified risk factors: serum level of C-reactive protein (CRP) >/=90 mg/L, hypotension, identification of relapse of leukemia as the cancer type, platelet count of

For children with febrile neutropenia at low risk for IBI, ambulatory management is safe and significantly cost saving compared with standard hospitalized therapy.