A child is admitted with a serious infection. After two days of antibiotics, he is severely neutropeniC. The physician orders granulocyte transfusions for the next four days. The mother asks the nurse why? The nurse responds:

“This is the only treatment left to offer the child. ”“This therapy is fast and reliable in treating infections in children.”“The physician will have to explain his rationale to you.” “Granulocyte transfusions replenish the low white blood cells until the body can produce its own.”

Explanation.

Granulocyte (neutrophil) replacement therapy is given until the patient’s blood values are normal and he is able to fight the infection himself. Options 1 and 3 are not therapeutic responses. The treatment in option 2 takes days and is not always able to prevent morbidity and mortality.