Evaluation of endocrine and cardiac complications in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A single center study from south Punjab.

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of our study was to evaluate the endocrine and cardiac complications in survivors of childhood ALL. Study Design: Descriptive Cross Sectional study. Setting: Department of Pediatric Hematology-oncology, Endocrinology and Cardiology at The Children Hospital & Institute of Child health Multan (CH& ICH). Period: January 2019 to June 2019. Material & Methods: Sixty patients were enrolled after taking informed consent from patient/parents. Endocrine complications include (growth failure, overweight/obesity, hyperlipidemia, thyroid disorders, precocious puberty) and cardiac complications include hypertension and low ejection fraction were evaluated. Results: Out of 60 ALL survivors 32 were males (53.3%) and 28 were females (46.7%). At diagnosis patient’s age range was 7-17 years with median age of 11.6 years. At study median age was 17 years with age range of 13 to 23 years. Among our ALL survivors 56.6% had one complication and 25% had multiple problems. Obesity (25%), overweight (20%) and hyperlipidemia (26.4%) were the three common complications followed by short stature (5%), thyroid disorders (3.3%) and hypertension (3.3%). Conclusion: We report high prevalence (56.6%) of these complications from south Punjab. Therefore extended follow up of ALL survivors is needed in order to identify an abnormality and timely treatment and improved quality of life.