Pediatric Patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Honduras: Demographic Characteristics, Clinical Features, and Laboratory Findings. Seeking a Prompt and Accurate Diagnosis for Childhood Leukemia

Seeking a Prompt and Accurate Diagnosis for Childhood Leukemia

Abstract

Approximately 90% of confirmed cancer cases annually are reported in low to middleincome countries. In Honduras, the incidence of pediatric cancer has been steadily increasing, accompanied by a higher cancer mortality rate attributed to diagnostic errors, limited access to healthcare, and management challenges. Diagnostic pitfalls, such as failure to recognize signs of malignancy, inadequate assessment of persistent symptoms, and misinterpretation of diagnostic tests, significantly impede effective cancer care. This retrospective case study collected data from 68 pediatric patients diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at the Honduran Social Security Institute in Tegucigalpa between January 2015 and December 2022. Data retrieval encompassed demographic features, clinical characteristics, and laboratory findings. We used SPSS Statistics version 29.0.2.0 to perform all statistical analysis. The cohort comprised patients of equal gender distribution, with 42.6% (N: 29) belonging to the age group of 1 to 4 years. The hospital diagnosed an average of 8.5 cases each year. Fever was the most prevalent symptom, affecting 80.9% of patients (N: 55). Hemoglobin levels were below 10 mg/dL in 67.6% of patients, with 33.8% exhibiting levels below 7 mg/dL (N: 23) and equal proportion falling within the 7-10 mg/dL range (N: 23). Platelet levels were below 150,000/μL, with 48.5% experiencing severe thrombocytopenia (platelet levels <50,000/μL). Additionally, most patients presented phosphorus levels exceeding 4.5 mg/dl (N: 33, 48.5%), along with elevated LDH levels surpassing 500 U/l (N: 34, P: 50%). The presence of persistent fever should trigger suspicion of cancer, necessitating thorough assessment. Implementing guidelines outlining common symptoms and referral protocols could significantly reduce mortality in Honduran children with ALL.