Role of G-CSF GM-CSF in the management of infections in preterm newborns: an update.

Neutropenia (definable as an absolute granulocyte count <1,000/μL in neonates) is a relatively frequent condition in small for gestational age and/or low birth weight neonates. Colony stimulating factors (CSF), namely granulocyte- (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage- (GM-CSF) CSF, have been proposed for prophylaxis and therapy of severe infections in this condition. Available data do not support the use of these substances for prophylaxis of infections in the presence of neutropenia. On the contrary, there might be space for their use, mainly for G-CSF, in case of severe infectious complications in severely neutropenic neonates (absolute polymorphonuclear neutrophil count <500/μL) and/or in the presence of specific hematological diseases causing neutropenia.