Correlation of Iron Status and Micronutrients With Anaemia of Childhood Haematopoietic Malignancies: A Study From Northern India.

BACKGROUND: Most cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy develop anemia during their course of treatment. There is a need for early treatment for chemotherapy-induced anemia to prevent morbidity and mortality.

MATERIAL AND METHOD: This is a hospital-based study, conducted over one year and included 59 children who are known cases of hematological malignancy aged up to 18 years. Standard methods were used to measure micronutrients and complete blood count. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS for Windows, Version 15.0 (Released 2006; SPSS Inc., Chicago, United States).

RESULTS: The majority of subjects (n=21; 35.6%) were aged six to nine years with male dominance. Micronutrient deficiency and significant anemia were noted in 40-50% and 64.4% of cases, respectively. Both malignancy and blood indices showed no association with micronutrients.

CONCLUSION: Anemia with micronutrient deficiency is common in children with hematopoietic malignancies receiving chemotherapy. However, no significant association was noted between red cell indices and levels of micronutrients.