[High glucose levels in children at diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common neoplasm in children. Although survival rates have improved, considerable mortality persists, partly due to metabolic complications. ALL is characterized by metabolic reprogramming, which may clinically manifest as elevated serum glucose (SG) levels at disease onset.

To analyze whether there are differences in SG levels between newly diagnosed pediatric patients with ALL and a control group.

A case-control study was conducted. Pediatric patients aged between 1 month and 15 years 11 months, of both sexes, were included and divided into two groups. ALL Group: Patients with a recent diagnosis of ALL, prior to the initiation of induction therapy. Control Group: Patients without a diagnosis of ALL. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and biochemical data were obtained from clinical records.

A total of 142 patients were analyzed, 71 in the ALL Group and 71 in the Control Group. The median age was 6 years (IQR 3-11), and 54.92% were male. The ALL Group showed significantly higher SG levels compared to the Control Group. In addition, a higher risk of elevated SG was observed in the ALL Group.

This study demonstrates elevated SG levels in children with newly diagnosed ALL, which may be related to the metabolic reprogramming of leukemic cells.