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Pneumatosis intestinalis in children with leukaemia; report of three cases
Insights
Pneumatosis intestinalis occurred in three children undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia. Researchers investigated potential causes, including bowel wall changes and bacterial involvement, leading to metronidazole treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Cytostatic and steroid treatments are common in pediatric leukemia management.
- Pneumatosis intestinalis is a rare condition characterized by gas within the intestinal wall.
- Understanding the etiology of pneumatosis intestinalis in immunocompromised children is crucial for effective treatment.
Observation:
- Three pediatric patients with leukemia (one acute myeloid, two acute lymphoblastic) developed pneumatosis intestinalis during cytostatic therapy.
- The exact cause of pneumatosis intestinalis in these cases was not definitively identified.
- Potential contributing factors included alterations in the bowel wall due to treatment or anaerobic bacterial proliferation.
Findings:
- Pneumatosis intestinalis can manifest in children receiving cytostatic treatment for leukemia.
- The condition may arise from gas entering a compromised bowel wall or from anaerobic bacteria.
- Treatment with metronidazole was administered to all affected children.
Implications:
- This case series highlights a potential adverse effect of cytostatic therapy in pediatric leukemia.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the precise mechanisms of pneumatosis intestinalis in this population.
- Metronidazole may be a therapeutic option for pneumatosis intestinalis in children undergoing chemotherapy.
Abstract:
Three children with leukaemia (one with acute myeloid, two with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia) developed pneumatosis intestinalis during cytostatic treatment. The aetiology of pneumatosis intestinalis in these children could not be elucidated. Pneumatosis intestinalis may be caused by entry of gas into a bowel wall which is altered by steroid or cytostatic treatment. Otherwise, anaerobic bacteria may produce gas in the intestinal walls, therefore we treated all children with metronidazole.