Md. Abu Sufian1, Kazi Morjina Begum2, Afiqul Islam3, A.T. Reza Ahmad4
1. Senior Consultant (Pediatrics), Sador Hospital Habiganj.
2. Assistant Professor, Obs & Gynae, Addin Women Medical College, Dhaka.
3. Chairman, Hemato-oncology Department, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University.
4. Associate Professor, Paediatrics, North East Medical College, Sylhet.
Abstract
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is one of the important health problems among children. This prospective study was designed to find out the clinical findings of ALL. The study was carried out in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University in the child hematology- oncology department from August 2002 to March 2003. Both male and female patients of two to fifteen years of age were included in the study ALL. patients less than one year and more than fifteen year were excluded from the study. Diagnosis was confirmed by bone marrow study. Peak age of presentation of the disease was four years of age. Male children suffered more than the female children. Fatigue, anorexia, irritability were found in more than 96% of the cases, whereas, fever was found in 88% of the cases. Bone/joint pain occurred in 82% of the cases which was a significant finding. Organomegaly was found in more than 60% cases. Gum bleeding (52%) was more common than skin bleeding (28%). Most of the patients were severely anemic (Hb% < 6gm/dl). Total white cell count were less than 10,000 in 44% of the cases and high leukocyte count was found in few cases(4%). Peripheral blood film showed blast cell in 72% of the cases. Total platelets count was less than 1 lakh in 88% of the cases and more than 1 lakh in 12% cases only. All this findings emphasized the need for increased awareness among physicians regarding the symptoms and signs of ALL for early diagnosis of the disease.
Keywords: Clinical profile, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL).