Cause-Specific Mortality in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia at a Single Center in Iran

Abstract Background: We studided the etiologies of mortality in childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) patients at Paediatric Oncology Department of St Aliasghar Hospital. Methods: In our hospital, between years of 2005 to 2012, we had 442 registered cases of ALL whose data was collected and analyzed regarding to different factors including their age, sex, WBC count, immune phenotype, treatment response and timing of death and the etiologies of their mortality. Results: Among the new registered cases of ALL in the study period, 80 (18%) died. Infection was accountable for deaths in 58 (72.5%) cases. Septicemia, pulmonary infections were documented in 41 (51.25%), and 12 (15%) cases respectively. Eleven (13.8%) died due to haemorrhage. Conclusion: Infection was the chief etiology of mortality in our ALL patients. For improving survival it is very important to advance our supportive care particularly prevention and treatment of infection. By studying mortality causes in clinical and demographic subgroups, one gains insights into development of strategies and interventions to modify treatment to decrease mortality.