Blood Product Requirement in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Relation to Chemotherapy Regimens

Along with lack of studies that systematically address the transfusion requirements and triggers in acute leukemia, no study to date has addressed the blood product use with respect to ongoing chemotherapy (CT) in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients.

This study was therefore designed to evaluate total erythrocyte, random platelet and apheresis platelet suspension requirement in pediatric ALL patients in relation to ongoing CT protocols.

A total of 146 pediatric patients with ALL were included in this retrospective study. Data on patient demographics, CT protocol, amount and efficacy of blood product use (erythrocytes, apheresis platelet and random platelet), and survival during CT were retrieved from hospital records.

The average amount of erythrocytes, apheresis platelets and random platelets received by 146 ALL patients from the date of diagnosis were 14 (3 - 78) bags, 9 (1 - 97 bags and 11 (1 - 83) bags, respectively. Protocol 1b augmented was associated with the highest amount of erythrocyte use (P < 0.001), while no significant difference was noted in apheresis platelet and random platelet use with respect to CT regimens. Erythrocyte transfusion was associated with a more marked increase in hemoglobin (Hb), erythrocyte (RBC), leukocyte (WBC), lymphocyte and neutrophil counts as compared with apheresis platelet and random platelet infusions, while protocol 2 was associated with higher Hb (P = 0.017) levels after erythrocyte transfusion.

Our findings indicate a great amount of blood product transfusion to be required in children with ALL under CT and emphasize the likelihood of transfusion need and efficacy of transfusion to alter with respect to ongoing CT regimen. The need in patients using augmented BFM protocol 1 b was highest, and albeit the need of blood and blood product transfusions vary within patients, the anticipated median need for blood products at diagnosis and at various blocks of treatment may be helpful for the blood banks, doctors of the respective pediatric hematology-oncology centers to plan as patients are treated.