Toggle Main Menu Toggle Search

Open Access padlockePrints

PEPtalk: post-exposure prophylaxis against varicella in children with cancer

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Paula Heath, Professor Roderick Skinner, Dr Sheila Patel, Dr Pamela Kearns, Professor Sophie Hambleton

Downloads

Full text for this publication is not currently held within this repository. Alternative links are provided below where available.


Abstract

Objectives: To describe post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) against varicellazoster virus (VZV) in children being treated for malignancy in the UK and Eire:the population at risk, frequency of exposure, clinical practice and attitudesamong healthcare providers.Design: An observational study in three parts: (1) a retrospective survey ofserostatus at diagnosis of malignancy, (2) collation of varicella zoster immuneglobulin (VZIG) dispensing data for children with malignancy in England andWales over a 3-year period, and (3) an online survey of paediatric oncologists’clinical practice and beliefs in relation to VZV disease and its prevention.Setting: UK and EireParticipants: Children aged under 15 years and diagnosed with malignancy inthe calendar year 2009 (for serostatus survey) or receiving VZIG between April2006 and March 2009 (for VZIG dispensing study). Paediatric oncologists andhaematologists working in the tertiary paediatric oncology centres and theirrelated shared care units in the UK and Eire participated in the physician survey.Results: Of the 1500 children diagnosed with malignancy each year, at least24% are VZV-seronegative. Few centres make efforts to prevent householdexposure by identifying and vaccinating VZV-susceptible family members.Exposures to VZV result in the administration of PEP to approximately 250children with cancer annually: half receive an intramuscular injection of VZIGwhile the remainder receive a course of oral aciclovir. The choice of PEP is madeby doctors. There is no consensus among paediatric oncologists as to which isthe better option, reflecting the lack of a secure evidence base.Conclusions: A randomised controlled trial to compare the effectiveness andacceptability of VZIG and aciclovir as PEP against VZV is both desirable andfeasible.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Bate J, Chisholm J, Heath P, Breuer J, Skinner R, Manley S, Patel S, Wheatley K, Ramsay M, Kearns P, Hambleton S

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Archives of Disease in Childhood

Year: 2011

Volume: 96

Issue: 9

Pages: 841-845

Print publication date: 28/06/2011

ISSN (print): 0003-9888

ISSN (electronic): 1468-2044

Publisher: BMJ Group

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/adc.2010.209650

DOI: 10.1136/adc.2010.209650


Altmetrics

Altmetrics provided by Altmetric


Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
G0700814Medical Research Council
G0701897Medical Research Council

Share