Effect of lithium carbonate on the peripheral leukocyte count in children suffering from haematological malignancies

Effects of lithium carbonate on peripheral white blood cell and granulocyte counts were investigated in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and non-Hodgkin malignant lymphoma. Li2CO3 given orally for two weeks in a single daily dose of 700 mg/m2 caused a significant and lasting increase in the peripheral WBC and granulocyte counts and increased the granulocyte ratio during induction of remission and maintenance cytotoxic therapy. Haematologic actions and the long-term effect of lithium carbonate are discussed.