Hyperglicemia in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia During Induction Chemotherapy

Abstract

Background: Hyperglycemia is a recognized side effect of the corticosteroids and asparaginase given
during induction chemotherapy for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). The ALL is the malignant
tumor with the highest incidence in the childhood. The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of
hyperglycemia during induction chemoteraphy in childhood ALL.
Methods: This prospective study was done in Dr. Soetomo hospital from January to April 2018. The subject
was newly diagnosed as ALL under the age of 18 years, treated with Indonesian childhood ALL 2013
protocol (Standard Risk (SR) group and High Risk (HR) group). Hyperglycemia was defined as at least
two separate random plasma glucose levels > 200 mg/dL, which was evaluated before and during induction
chemotherapy. Statistical analysis using Paired T-test for parametric and Wilcoxon Test for nonparametric.
Results: Thirty-three children were enrolled, 18/33 boys with mean age 5.8 (SD 3.78) years, compromised
as ALL-L1 30/33. They were treated with ALL-HR 19/33 and ALL-SR 14/33. In overall groups, the mean
random blood glucose level significantly increased from 108 (SD 21.3) mg/dL to 147 (SD 48.1) mg/dL,
(mean difference 38.67 mg/dL; 95% CI 18.08 to 59.26 mg/dL, P=0.008). In SR group, there was a significant
increased of mean random blood glucose level from 102 (SD 13.5) mg/dL to 133 (SD 37.3) mg/dL, (mean
difference 31.8 mg/dL; 95% CI 8.78 to 54.8 mg/dL; P=0.01). In HR group, the mean random blood glucose
level increased from 113 (SD 51.9) mg/dL to 165 (SD 25.4) mg/dL, (mean difference 51.9 mg/dL; 95% CI
18.6 to 85.2 mg/dL, P=0.004).
Conclusion: Blood glucose level is significantly increase during induction chemotherapy in both SR and HR Indonesian childhood ALL 2013 protocol.