[Pulmonary function of children with acute leukemia in maintenance phase of chemotherapy]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Pulmonology
• Pediatric Oncology
• Respiratory Medicine

Background:

• Acute leukemia is a common childhood cancer.
• Chemotherapy can impact various organ systems, including the respiratory system.
• Pulmonary function assessment is crucial for monitoring long-term health in pediatric cancer survivors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the pulmonary function in children with acute leukemia during the maintenance phase of chemotherapy.
• To compare respiratory muscle strength and spirometric values between children with acute leukemia and healthy controls.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional observational study involving 34 children, divided into acute leukemia and healthy control groups.
• Spirometry was performed using standardized guidelines.
• Maximal respiratory pressures, including maximal inspiratory pressures and maximal expiratory pressures, were measured.

Main Results:

• Children with acute leukemia demonstrated significantly lower maximal inspiratory pressures compared to healthy controls.
• No significant differences were observed in spirometric variables between the two groups.
• Maximal expiratory pressure in the leukemia group remained within normal reference limits.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric patients with acute leukemia in chemotherapy maintenance exhibit preserved spirometric function and expiratory muscle strength.
• A notable decline in inspiratory muscle strength was identified in this patient group.
• These findings suggest a specific impact on inspiratory muscles, warranting further investigation and potential interventions.