Antibiotic shield may protect young leukemia patients from dangerous infections

This study tests whether giving the antibiotic levofloxacin to children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) can delay or prevent the first episode of febrile neutropenia (fever with low white blood cells) during early chemotherapy. About 124 children aged 1 to 18 will receive either levofloxacin or a placebo daily. Researchers will track how long it takes for fever or serious infection to occur, and monitor for side effects. The goal is to see if this preventive approach can reduce infection-related complications during treatment.