ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC LEUKEMIA

CHROMOSOMAL ABNORMALITIES IN CHILDHOOD REPORTING AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF SINDH

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of the present study is to evaluate the frequency
of chromosomal abnormalities in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia at a tertiary
care hospital of Sindh. Study design: Observation study. Place of study: Isra University
Hospital, Hyderabad and Oncology Unit Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences,
Jamshoro. Duration of study: From January 2014 to March 2015. Materials and Methods:
Cytogenetic analysis was conducted on peripheral blood and bone marrow samples of 100
diagnosed cases of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Peripheral blood and bone marrow
samples were collected and putted into sodium heparinized bottles. Cytogenetic analysis
was performed by karyotyping according to the ISCN guidelines for human cytogenetic
nomenclature using cytovision-+ system for image analysis. Data was analyzed on statistic
8.1 USA and expressed as means, percentage and chi-square with P-value of ≤ 0.05 being
defined significant. Results: Chromosomal abnormalities were found in 53% of the ALL
cases. Numerical abnormalities were found in 71% whereas 35% cases showed structural
abnormalities. 29% cases of ALL showed diploidy and aneuploidy was found in 69% of cases
and 2% cases were unknown. Highest number of patients 51% showed hyperploidy followed
by 12% cases of hypoploidy and 6% showed pseudoploidy. Chromosomal translocations
t(9; 22) (q34; q11) and t(8; 22) (q24; q11) were noted in 6% each and t(8; 14) (q22; q32)
were seen in 5% of the cases of childhood ALL. Conclusion: The present study reports
chromosomal abnormalities in 53% of cases. Numerical abnormalities were found in 71%
whereas 35% cases showed structural abnormalities.