Myelosuppression and infectious complications in children with Down syndrome and acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2012 Apr;58(4):633-5. doi: 10.1002/pbc.23371. Epub 2011 Nov 21.

Abstract

Children with Down syndrome (DS) bear an increased risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and treatment complications. We compared blood counts and toxicities in 22 DS and 44 non-DS ALL patients. Patients with DS had deeper, longer neutrophil and monocyte count nadirs; more toxicities (HR 2.0, P = 0.0005); longer hospitalizations (HR 1.4, P < 0.0001); and more frequent microbiologically documented infections (HR 5.7, P = 0.0019), mucositis (HR 29.0, P = 0.0006), and cellulitis (HR 3.0, P = 0.033). Severe neutropenia, monocytopenia, and increased cellulitis in DS-ALL suggest the importance of skin hygiene, vigilance and aggressive treatment of cutaneous infections.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects
  • Cellulitis / blood
  • Cellulitis / chemically induced
  • Cellulitis / prevention & control
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Down Syndrome / blood
  • Down Syndrome / complications
  • Down Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Leukocyte Count
  • Male
  • Neutropenia / blood
  • Neutropenia / chemically induced
  • Neutropenia / prevention & control
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / blood
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / complications
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy*