The aim of the study was to analyse the effect of granulocyte (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage (GMCSF) growth factor on the course of neutropenia in 54 children subject to intensive chemotherapy due to neoplastic diseases. The efficiency of factors mentioned above was assessed on the basis of neutropenia duration and its intensity, the frequency of infectious complications and the duration of resultant antibiotic-therapy and hospitalisation during treatment course. The results of our study indicate shorter duration of neutropenia, and thus, of antibiotic-therapy and hospitalisation in patients treated with haematopoietic growth factors when compared with control group of children who did not receive such treatment. In the case of intervention administration of growth factors when neutropenia has already developed, the duration of antibiotic-therapy and hospitalisation was longer. Considering lack of significant differences between the use of G-CSF and GM-CSF since 24th or 48th hour after the completion of chemotherapy cycle, it seems advisable to recommend the start of preventive measures after 48th hour as economically justified.

Keywords: neoplastic diseases, GM-CSF, G-CSF, myelosuppression, children