Effect of RBC concentrate transfusions on serum ferritin content in children with acute leukaemia.

OBJECTIVE: To study the serum ferritin levels in children with acute leukemia, depending on the number of transfusions of RBC concentrate and period of disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We studied the red blood count, serum iron and ferritin levels in 54 patients with acute leukemia before chemotherapy, at the time of a standardized treatment protocol, and after transfusions of RBC concentrates. RESULTS: In the debute of acute leukemia just before treatment lauch the serum ferritin in 81.5% of children was 2.3-2.5 higher than normal. The need for transfusion of RBC concentrates was higher under serum ferritin level exceeding 500 ng/mL. The association was established between ferritin content and age of the children, variant of acute leukemia and period of the disease. CONCLUSIONS: The level of serum ferritin can be used as a marker of ferrokinetic status for timely diagnosis of iron overload in children with acute leukemias and for application of treatment-and-prophylactic actions.

Lymphocytosis in children after the Chornobyl NPP accident.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the sources of lymphocytosis in children living in ecologically unfavorable conditions after the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant accident aiming the high risk group formation for oncohematological diseases among the children's population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 226 children with lymphocytosis were surveyed. The of child's life history and kind of somatic morbidity were considered. Quantitative and qualitative parameters of blood cells, biochemical indices including immunoglobulins (A, M, G), circulating immune complexes, phagocytosis indices were assayed. RESULTS: Children with lymphocytosis were more often born with a high bodyweight, they demonstrated manifestations of constitutional lymphatism, lymphadenopathy and more often had respiratory infections. Quantitative and qualitative changes of hemopoietic elements depended on a type of a disease. Activation of lipid peroxidation, dysimmunoglobulinemia and increased level of circulating immune complexes were revealed. Treatment and preventive actions promoted normalization of hemogram indices in 58% of children surveyed. CONCLUSIONS: The abnormalities in immune indices, activated lipid peroxidation in membranes of hemopoietic elements, and manifestations of granulocytopoietic disorders were established it children with lymphocytosis. Therefore these children can be attributed tot the group of increased risk on oncohematological disease.