Demographic Characteristics and Environmental Exposure Previous to Acute Lymphoid Leukemia Diagnosis in Pediatric Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is the most common pediatric malignant disease. Its causes are mostly unknown but some demographic and environmental factors might be playing a role in its beginning. Objective: To identify the demographic and environmental characteristics which pediatric patients were exposed prior to diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Methodology: We conducted a descriptive analysis based on the cases of a case-control study aimed to determine risk factors for ALL. Patients younger than 15 years, diagnosed between January 2000 and March 2005 that consulted some institutions located in Bucaramanga and Bogotá, Colombia. Trained interviewers collected detailed information on demographic and environmental exposures. Both parents were interviewed. A p-value equal or less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: We included 99 cases in this specific analysis. The mean age at diagnosis was 6.6 years for boys and 5.7 for girls. Maternal and paternal mean ages were 26 and 30 years respectively. 67.7% of patients lived in low socioeconomic status before diagnosis. The chemicals most frequently used or stored at home of these patients were oil, gasoline, kerosene, paint thinner, (n = 19, 19.2%) and insecticides (n = 18, 18.2%). Conclusions: This study showed that these patients could be exposed to potentially carcinogenic agents before diagnosis.[Miguel Angel Castro-Jiménez MA, Valdelamar-Jiménez A. Demographic Characteristics and Environmental Exposure Previous to Acute Lymphoid Leukemia Diagnosis in Pediatric Patients. MedUNAB 2015; 18(1):66-70].