Assessment of immature platelet fraction and immature reticulocyte fraction as predictors of engraftment after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

INTRODUCTION: Engraftment is a critical milestone of the hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) process. The immature platelet fraction (IPF) and immature reticulocyte fraction (IRF) are considered early indicators of bone marrow recovery. The objective of this study was to assess these parameters as predictors of HSCT engraftment. METHODS: Neutrophil and platelet engraftment were defined as the first of three consecutive days with an absolute neutrophil count >0.5 × 10(9) /L or platelet count >20 × 10(9) /L, respectively. The IRF cutoff was 12%. Two IPF cutoffs were used: >6.2% and >10%. RESULTS: The study sample comprised 44 patients, of whom 24 had undergone autologous HSCT and 20 had undergone allogeneic HSCT. Absolute neutrophil counts >0.5 × 10(9) /L were preceded by IRF >12% in 86% of patients (38 of 44). Platelet counts >20 × 10(9) /L were preceded by an IPF >6.2% in 90% of patients (37 of 41) and by an IPF >10% in 63% of patients (26 of 41). CONCLUSION: The results show that IRF and IPF are engraftment predictors. Peak in IPF was observed before rise in platelet count, while IRF rises before absolute neutrophil count (ANC) and persists increased. This indicates that IRF and IPF can be considered as new tools for hematopoietic assessment after HSCT.

[Bone marrow transplantation and cord blood transplantation in children] / Transplante de medula óssea e transplante de sangue de cordão umbilical em pediatria.

OBJECTIVE: To review the indications, main steps and complications of bone marrow transplantation in children. SOURCES: Medline-based literature review. SUMMARY OF THE FINDINGS: We comment about the indications of autologous, allogeneic and syngeneic bone marrow transplantation, donor selections, harvest and infusion of the hematopoietic progenitor cells that will reconstitute the hematopoietic and immune systems. We describe the different conditioning regimens and the new sources of cells, such as cord blood. We also describe the most common events after the procedure, including infections, graft versus host disease, and cardiovascular, pulmonary, hepatic, genitourinary, and gastrointestinal complications. The late effects and their impact on quality of life are also discussed. CONCLUSIONS: Bone marrow transplantation does not confer an absolutely normal life span to all the patients; however, it represents the only chance of cure for children with certain neoplastic or immunological diseases. By knowing the steps of the procedure, pediatricians can be a source of information on bone marrow transplantation to the patients and their families.

Vanilmandelic acid and homovanillic acid levels in patients with neural crest tumor: 24-hour urine collection versus random sample.

Neuroblastoma is the most common solid tumor in childhood and is the most frequent neural crest tumor (NCT). More than 90% of the patients excrete high levels of vanilmandelic acid (VMA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in the urine. Original biochemical methods for measuring these two metabolites of catecholamines employed a collection of urine for 24 hours to avoid errors related to circadian cycle variations. More recently, attempts have been made to replace the 24-hour collections by random samples (RSs). This has practical advantages particularly for young children. The objective of this study is to assess whether urinary VMA related to urinary creatinine levels can be determined reliably by the method of Pisano et al. from RSs in patients with NCT. The determination of the consumption of VMA in urine stored for prolonged periods of time was also studied. We found a good correlation between the values of metabolites of catecholamines in RSs compared with 24-hour urine collections. There was consumption of VMA in urine samples after storage. We conclude that determination of VMA in RSs of urine by Pisano's method may identify NCT production of catecholamines and that the consumption of these catecholamines is an important factor to consider in the interpretation of values obtained with stored urine specimens.