Pattern of relapse in paediatric acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in a tertiary care unit

Objective: to determine the frequency,site and time to relapse from diagnosis,and to see the relationship of relapse with important prognostic factors. methods: the prospective descriptive observational study was conducted at the national institute of child health,karachi,june 2005 to may 2007,and comprised newly-diagnosed cases of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. bone marrow aspiration was done on reappearance of blast cells in peripheral smear and cerebrospinal fluid. detailed report was done each time when intra-thecal chemotherapy was given or there were signs and symptoms suggestive of central nervous system relapse. spss 12 was used for data analysis. results: of the 60 patients enrolled,4(6.6%) expired and 1(1.7%) was lost to follow-up. of the 55(91.6%) who comprised the study sample,35(58%) were males and 25(42%) females. mean age of relapse was 6.8±3.27 years. mean time to relapse from diagnosis was 1.3±0.54 years; 12(20%) patients suffered relapse,and of them 5(14%) were boys. central nervous system relapse in 8(67%) patients was the most common site,with 3(25%) bone-marrow relapses. out of 12 patient with relapses,9(75%) had white blood cell count less than 50,000/cm. conclusion: relapse in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was common,although treatment modalities are improving day by day. © 2016,pakistan medical association. all rights reserved.