TITLE:
Evolution of the Outcomes of Children with Acute Leukemia in Congo
AUTHORS:
Lydie Ocini Ngolet, Simo Josué Luokdom, Alexis Fortuné Bolenga Liboko, Firmine Olivia Galiba Atipo Tsiba, Alexis Elira Dokekias
KEYWORDS:
Childhood, Acute Leukemia, Outcomes
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Blood Diseases,
Vol.12 No.1,
March
25,
2022
ABSTRACT: Background: To lower the mori-mortality related to the aggressiveness of acute
leukemia’s chemotherapy regimens, we have implemented in 2017 two low toxicity
chemotherapy regimens and new supportive care strategies. The aim of the study
is to evaluate our new treatments. Materials and Method: A retrospective
study was carried out from January 2014 to May 2021 in the hematology
department of the teaching hospital in Brazzaville. The study concerned 47
children diagnosed with acute leukemia. Participants were divided into two
groups: acute leukemia diagnosed before 2017 (group 1: 23 children) and
after 2017 (group 2: 14 children). They were compared using the chi-square. Results: The
median age was 10.0 ± 5.01 years. Features and outcomes of group 2 were better.
The median duration of symptoms was shorter: 2.45 ± 2.87 months (p = 0.036).
The Karnosky score was higher (p = 0.002) and white blood cell count lower (p =
0.331). Both groups started the treatment with a delay of 6 days. The induction
treatment was completed in 69.6% before 2017 versus 93.3% after. The rate of
relapse was more important for group 1: 85.7% versus 14.3% (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Trainings of professionals have improved the characteristics outcomes of our
patients and should be pursued. Considering the high relapse rate, our protocol
will need to be intensified.