Home based care for febrile neutropenia: The Alex

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What is my child being treated for?

Your child is being treated for febrile neutropenia. This means your child has a fever higher than 38°C and low neutrophils, which are a type of white blood cell important for fighting infections.

Can my child be treated at home?

Yes. The oncology team have assessed your child as having a low-risk febrile neutropenia episode, so your child can complete their antibiotics at home by mouth.

Before we can transfer your child home, you must:

• be within one hours drive of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital
• have immediate transport available (either car or ambulance) if you have to return to the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital
• have a working home phone or mobile phone
• understand and agree to the instructions given to you by the oncology team.

What will happen when we get home?

You will need to take your child’s temperature every four hours when they are awake until you are told by the hospital team you can stop.

Your child will be receiving antibiotics as a medicine by mouth or via their NG tube. Please follow the instructions that are provided to you by your hospital team for giving the antibiotics to your child.

A member of the hospital team will call you daily until your child is well and has completed their antibiotics. You may be asked to stop giving the antibiotics even though you have some left.

We expect your child to carry on having temperatures for a while; it might take three or four days for it to settle completely. We will ask about it when we call you, but do not want you to worry just because your child gets hot.

What should I do if I am worried about my child?

If you are worried about your child or if they have any of the following symptoms:

• does not feel well or look right to you
• chills or shaking
• persistent vomiting or new diarrhoea
• infection: redness, tenderness or pain anywhere on the body
• tiredness, paleness or shortness of breath
• dehydration (decreased urine, dry mouth)
• your child has a low temperature (less than 36°C)
• pain: severe or persistent
• refusing to drink.

Remember, you know your child best. If you are concerned or worried, or if something doesn’t feel quite right, speak to your child’s treating team.

You should contact the hospital team (24 hours a day, 7 days a week) on 01273 696955 either on extension 62433 during normal working hours or on extension 62416 outside of these hours.