ABSTRACT
Background & objectives: Survival in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) in lower/middle income countries continues to lag behind outcomes seen in high-income countries. Socio-economic factors and distance of their residence from the hospital may contribute to this disparity. This study was aimed at identifying the impact of these factors on outcome in childhood ALL. Methods: In this retrospective study, file review of children with ALL was performed. Patients were treated with the modified United Kingdom (UK) ALL-2003 protocol. Details of socio-economic/demographic factors were noted from a web-based patients' database. Modified Kuppuswamy scale was used to classify socio-economic status. Results: A total of 308 patients with a median age of five years (range: 1-13 yr) were studied. Patients belonging to upper, middle and lower SE strata numbered 85 (28%), 68 (22%) and 155 (50%). Nearly one-third of the patients were underweight. There was no treatment abandonment among children whose mothers were graduates. Neutropenic deaths during maintenance therapy were lower in mothers who had passed high school. In patients who survived induction therapy, the five year event-free survival (EFS) of upper SE stratum was significantly better 78.7�9 vs. 59�2 and 58.1�6 per cent in middle and lower strata (P =0.026). Five year overall survival was higher in the higher SE group; being 91.2�5, 78.3�6 and 78.8�9 per cent (P =0.055) in the three strata. Survival was unaffected by a distance of residence from treating centre or rural/urban residence. High-risk and undernourished children had a greater hazard of mortality [1.80 (P =0.015); 1.98 (P =0.027)]. Interpretation & conclusions: Our findings showed that higher socio-economic status contributed to superior EFS in children with ALL who achieved remission. Undernutrition increased the risk of mortality.
ABSTRACT
Background: Lumbar puncture (LP) is frequently performed in patients with advanced intraocular retinoblastoma. However, this may not be necessary in a significant proportion of patients. Materials and Methods: A file review of patients who were diagnosed with retinoblastoma over a 13-year-period was performed. Patients who underwent LP as part of staging were included in the study. Results: The study included 223 patients. One-third had bilateral retinoblastoma. The grouping was C, D, and E in 4 (2.9%), 41 (29.9%), and 92 (67.2%) patients, respectively. The stage was 0, I, II, III, and IV in 14 (6.3), 123 (55.2%), 13 (5.8%), 70 (31.4%), and 3 (1.3%) patients, respectively. Eight (3.6%) patients had a positive cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cytology. None of the patients with intraocular disease and 7 (10%) patients with extraocular disease had a positive CSF. Conclusions: A diagnostic CSF is not indicated in patients with intraocular retinoblastoma.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of traumatic lumbar puncture (TLP) at diagnosis of relapse in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Risk factors associated with TLP were assessed. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed from the records of children with ALL who were treated from January 2010 to December 2012. RESULTS: A total of 311 patients with median age of 5 years (range: 1–13) were treated for ALL. The cerebrospinal fluid analysis obtained from first LP revealed 275: Central nervous system 1 (CNS 1) (no blasts); 8: CNS 3 (blasts positive); and 28: TLP. Twenty‑eight (9%) patients relapsed. Twelve (3.9%) had a CNS relapse. A TLP at diagnosis was not associated with an increased risk of systemic or CNS relapse (P = 0.298, 0.295). Three years event‑free survival of patients with TLP and without atraumatic LP (ATLP) at diagnosis was 56 ± 5.2% and 51.8 ± 12.4%, (P = 0.520). Three years overall survival with TLP and ATLP was 73.3 ± 3.5% and 70.4 ± 12.5%, respectively, (P = 0.963). Median platelet count in patients with TLP was significantly lower than those without TLP (10,000/μL and 28,000/μL, P < 0.001). A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed for predicting the risk of TLP based on platelet count. Area under the curve was 0.74 ± 0.05 (95% confidence interval 0.64–0.84). Platelet count < 23.5 × 109/L at the time of LP had 75% sensitivity and 64.4% specificity in predicting a TLP. CONCLUSIONS: Low platelet counts are significantly associated with risk of TLP. Traumatic LP at diagnosis was not associated with an increased risk of relapse.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogens are becoming a major problem worldwide, more so in the immunocompromised hosts resulting in the urgent need of antibiotic stewardship. PURPOSE: To analyze the organisms isolated and the drug resistance pattern in a pediatric oncology unit. RESULTS: Data pertaining to infections with 128 positive cultures in patients with febrile neutropenia over a period of 1-year are presented. The unit antibiotic policy is decided depending on the sensitivity of the prevailing common organisms. We isolated Gram-negative organisms in 56% cases. Escherichia coli and Klebseilla were the most frequent lactose fermenting Gram-negative Bacilli and Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter the nonfermenting Gram-negative Bacilli. Only 20–30% of the Gram-negative organisms cultured were sensitive to a 3rd/4th generation cephalosporin. The combination of a beta-lactam/inhibitor covered 2/3rd of Gram-negative organisms. About 80% of the organisms were sensitive to carbapenems. There was no colistin resistance. About 44% of our cultures grew a Gram-positive bacterial organism and included coagulase negative Staphylococcus. We had an incidence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus to be 30%. About 30% of the enterococci isolated in our unit were vancomycin-resistant enterococci. About 23% of patients with a positive bacterial culture died. CONCLUSIONS: Infections in pediatric cancer patient’s account for about 15–20% of the deaths in developing countries as these patients are at a high risk for developing MDR infections. Resistance rates among Gram-positive and Gram-negative organisms have increased worldwide. Every unit needs a rational antibiotic policy. Antibiotic de-escalation and judicious decrease in the duration of antibiotics needs to be practiced.