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Continuous Manual Exchange Transfusion for Patients with Sickle Cell Disease: An Efficient Method to Avoid Iron Overload
Published on: March 14, 2017
Effect of RBC concentrate transfusions on serum ferritin content in children with acute leukaemia
Insights
Serum ferritin levels are elevated in children with acute leukemia, often necessitating red blood cell (RBC) transfusions. Monitoring ferritin aids in diagnosing iron overload and guiding treatment in pediatric leukemia patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Oncology
- Clinical Biochemistry
Background:
- Acute leukemia is a significant health concern in children.
- Iron metabolism can be altered during leukemia treatment, particularly with blood transfusions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate serum ferritin levels in pediatric acute leukemia patients.
- To correlate ferritin levels with red blood cell (RBC) concentrate transfusions and disease duration.
Main Methods:
- Serum ferritin, iron, and red blood count were analyzed in 54 acute leukemia patients.
- Measurements were taken before chemotherapy, during treatment, and post-RBC transfusions.
Main Results:
- Elevated serum ferritin (2.3-2.5 times normal) was observed in 81.5% of children at diagnosis.
- Higher transfusion needs were associated with serum ferritin levels exceeding 500 ng/mL.
- Ferritin levels correlated with patient age, leukemia type, and disease duration.
Conclusions:
- Serum ferritin serves as a valuable marker for ferrokinetic status in pediatric acute leukemia.
- Monitoring ferritin aids in early iron overload diagnosis and prophylactic interventions.
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.
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