Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 5, 2026

Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology
08:01

Detection of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis in Haematological Malignancy Patients by using Lateral-flow Technology

Published on: March 22, 2012

31.0K

Hyperammonemia in children treated with asparaginase for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

Léa Bonneau1, Caroline Moreau2, Elisabeth Polard3

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Rennes University Hospital, 16 Boulevard de Bulgarie 35200 Rennes, France.

Archives De Pediatrie : Organe Officiel De La Societe Francaise De Pediatrie
|May 3, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Asparaginase therapy for childhood leukemia can cause hyperammonemia, a side effect whose clinical impact is unclear. This study found a disconnect between ammonia levels and symptom severity in pediatric patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Hematology
  • Clinical Pharmacology

Background:

  • Asparaginase is crucial for treating pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
  • Hyperammonemia is a recognized but poorly understood side effect of asparaginase treatment in children.
  • Understanding the clinical significance of hyperammonemia in pediatric ALL is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the clinical manifestations and implications of hyperammonemia in children undergoing asparaginase treatment for ALL.
  • To explore the relationship between ammonia levels and clinical symptoms in this patient population.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 25 pediatric patients with hyperammonemia during asparaginase treatment for ALL.
  • Data collected from January 2016 to April 2022 across seven centers in the GOCE group.
  • Clinical symptoms and need for therapeutic intervention were documented.

Main Results:

  • Hyperammonemia was observed in 25 children (median age 7 years) treated with asparaginase for ALL.
  • 52% of patients (13/25) exhibited symptoms, including neurological issues (9 patients) and vomiting (4 patients).
  • Three patients required specific medical interventions for hyperammonemia.

Conclusions:

  • A dissociation exists between ammonia levels and the clinical severity of hyperammonemia in pediatric ALL patients.
  • Significant inter-individual variability in clinical presentation occurs despite similar ammonia levels.
  • Further research is necessary to elucidate the factors contributing to this variability and guide clinical management.
Abstract

Keywords:
AmmoniaAsparaginaseHyperammonemiaLeukemiaPediatrics

More Related Videos

Microdialysis of Excitatory Amino Acids During EEG Recordings in Freely Moving Rats08:47

Microdialysis of Excitatory Amino Acids During EEG Recordings in Freely Moving Rats

Published on: November 8, 2018

11.2K
Combining Double Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization with Immunolabelling for Detection of the Expression of Three Genes in Mouse Brain Sections09:23

Combining Double Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization with Immunolabelling for Detection of the Expression of Three Genes in Mouse Brain Sections

Published on: March 26, 2016

13.5K

Related Concept Videos

Urea Cycle01:23

Urea Cycle

The urea cycle describes how liver cells convert ammonia to urea. Ammonia is a toxic waste product of protein catabolism. Land animals must convert ammonia into the less toxic urea which can be safely eliminated by the kidneys through urine. Marine animals excrete ammonia directly, and the surrounding water dilutes the ammonia to safe levels.
44.1K
Inborn Errors of Metabolism01:20

Inborn Errors of Metabolism

Phenylketonuria (PKU) is a protein metabolism disorder characterized by high blood levels of the amino acid phenylalanine. This results from a mutation in the gene responsible for phenylalanine hydroxylase, an enzyme that converts phenylalanine into tyrosine. When this enzyme is deficient, phenylalanine builds up in the blood, leading to symptoms such as vomiting, rashes, seizures, growth deficiency, and severe mental retardation. An early diagnosis and a diet restricting phenylalanine intake...
1.1K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses...
410
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption01:23

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Overview and Drug Absorption

Understanding the physiological differences in the pediatric population is crucial for effective pharmacotherapy. Neonates, infants, and children exhibit significant variations in gastric pH, gastric emptying time, intestinal transit time, and biliary function. These variations profoundly affect oral drug absorption, necessitating a nuanced approach to pediatric dosing.Neonates present with a unique physiological profile, having a gastric pH greater than 4 and faster and more irregular gastric...
967
Overview of Protein Metabolism01:21

Overview of Protein Metabolism

Proteins are broken down into amino acids during digestion. Unlike fats and carbohydrates, which are stored for later use, proteins are not. Instead, amino acids are either used to produce ATP through oxidation or contribute to the creation of new proteins for the growth and repair of the body. Any surplus amino acids from the diet are converted into glucose or triglycerides rather than excreted.
Amino acids play various roles in the body once they are absorbed into cells. They are restructured...
4.5K
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
408