Time of Attainment of Clinical Remission and Peripheral Blood Count Recovery during Induction Chemotherapy for Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia(ALL) is the most common pediatric malignancy. Infection and bleeding are the leading cause of death during induction chemotherapy in childhood ALL. So, proper knowledge about anticipated infection and bleeding are very important during this period. But the duration of clinical remission and recovery of peripheral blood count during induction chemotherapy is not well reported in literature. Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the time of attainment of clinical remission and recovery of peripheral blood count after initiation of induction chemotherapy and to determine if the duration of clinical remission and peripheral blood count recovery differs between therapeutic risk groups.  Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted from January 2021 to December 2021 in the Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, BSMMU. Newly diagnosed admitted Eighty-Six ALL of both sexes aged 1 to 17.9 years were included. After commencing chemotherapy, physical examination was recorded every day until clinical remission and complete blood count (CBC) was recorded one to two days interval until peripheral blood count recovery. The number of  packed red blood cell (PRBC) and platelet transfusions and the number of days of  intravenous antibiotics were recorded. Results: Mean duration of clinical remission, complete Hemoglobin (Hb), Absolute neutrophil count(ANC) and platelet recovery was 8.4 ± 4.5 days, 25±7.9 days, 23.3±5.6 days and 21.8±6.4 days respectively (p<0.01). Time to attain partial recovery of platelet was 14.0±4.9 days in high risk and 19.2±5.3 days in standard risk group. PRBC transfusion requirement was 2.2±1.2 units in high risk group and  1.7±0.8 units  in standard risk group (p<0.05). Time to attain partial recovery of ANC, number of days with I/V antibiotics and duration of treatment interruption were higher in high risk group.  Conclusion: Time of clinical remission was similar between risk group. Platelet recovery occurred earlier than Hemoglobin (Hb) and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) recovery. Transfusion and supportive care requirement were more in high risk group during induction chemotherapy. So, more supportive care should be arranged up to three weeks of induction period to increase survival of high risk childhood ALL. Bangladesh Med Res Counc Bull 2023; 49: 177-182