RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Obesity is a medical problem in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Obesity is associated with many complications, so it is important to investigate the respective etiology. Leptin is a protein synthesized in the fatty tissue and is effective in the control of obesity. Survey of leptin in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors could be helpful in controlling obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective study, 53 pediatric patients diagnosed with ALL between 2006 and 2012 from Southern Iran, were enrolled. We examined body mass index (BMI) status and performed laboratory measuring tests including triglyceride, cholesterol, fasting blood sugar, leptin at diagnosis time and then every 6 months and in the last visit. RESULTS: Participants consisted of 35 male and 18 female patients. At the time of diagnosis, 5.66% were overweight or obese, whereas at the end of treatment, approximately 13 patients (24.53%) were overweight or obese. The median and interquartile range (IQR) for blood leptin level were significantly higher for obese patients than other patients (885, 1120 vs. 246, 494 pg/ml), (P=0.030). The median and IQR were also significantly higher in females than in males (861, 969 vs. 204, 267 pg/ml), (P=0.006). CONCLUSION: Obesity is a complication of ALL treatment. It is associated with elevated blood leptin level. Hypothalamus leptin resistance in obese patients should be considered. In each visit, clinicians should weight and their patient's BMI take into account.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: This cross sectional study was performed to evaluate dental ages and incidence of dental anomalies in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). METHODS AND MATERIALS: A total of 25 ALL patient who passed at least 2 years of chemotherapy and 25 healthy sex and age matched children were evaluated. Dental age as well as dental anomalies in shape, size, number, and structure was recorded based on their panoramic radiographies which were taken for dental purposes. RESULTS: The number of dental anomalies significantly increased in ALL treated children. Seven ALL cases (28%) in compression to only one (4%) in control group had at least one dental anomaly. However, there was neither statistically significant differences between the mean of dental (p=0.32) and chronologic age (p=0.12) in both groups, nor between dental age of cases and control group (p=0.62).The age at the onset of treatment as well as treatment durations has not affected dental age and the incidence of dental anomalies significantly (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Chemotherapy in children results in emergence of dental anomaly. Dental age, maturity, and development process however seems to be independent from chemotherapy.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Anthracyclines are important components of many chemotherapeutic protocols. The present study aimed to evaluate the repolarization changes in electrocardiography (ECG) which may predict drug induced arrhythmia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, the recorded ECGs were assessed for QT dispersion (QTd), QT corrected dispersion (QTcd), T peak to Tend dispersion (TPed), and P dispersion (Pd) in 12 ECG leads. The demographic information, including sex, age, and duration of drug consumption, were recorded, as well. RESULTS: In this study, 112 patients, including 58 females (52%) and 54 males (48%) with the mean age of 8.7±4.5 years, as the case group were compared with 43 children, including 17 males (40%) and 26 females (60%), in the control group. Most of our patients (88%) had received usual doses of anthracyclines; i.e., 330 mg/m2. QT dispersion of the patients and the controls was 0.054±0.02 and 0.05± 0.02 seconds, respectively. No significant difference was found between the patients and the controls regarding corrected QT dispersion (P> 0.05). However, P dispersion time had increased in the patients' group. Our study showed that the duration of anthracyclines therapy did not cause any significant increase in ventricular re-polarization parameters. CONCLUSION: Anthracyclines may show their cardiac toxicity through increasing P dispersion.