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Pediatrics

Hyperglycemia in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Risk Factors and Clinical Implications

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A new study has shed light on the incidence of hyperglycemia in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients during induction therapy. The research, conducted at a single tertiary care center in Cairo, Egypt, analyzed 1711 pediatric ALL patients treated between 2016 and 2019. The study found that hyperglycemia occurred in 45.2% of patients, with 15.4% experiencing overt hyperglycemia and 29.8% experiencing mild hyperglycemia. The research identified several risk factors associated with hyperglycemia, including female sex, age of 10 years or older, obesity, family history of diabetes, high initial white blood cell count, and Down syndrome. The study also found that invasive fungal infections were more prevalent in patients with overt hyperglycemia compared to those with mild hyperglycemia or euglycemia.

Key Takeaways:

  • Hyperglycemia occurred in 45.2% of pediatric ALL patients during induction therapy, with 15.4% experiencing overt hyperglycemia and 29.8% experiencing mild hyperglycemia.
  • Females with ALL were at higher risk of developing hyperglycemia compared to males.
  • Children with ALL aged 10 years or older were at higher risk of developing hyperglycemia compared to younger patients.
  • Obesity, family history of diabetes, high initial white blood cell count, and Down syndrome were identified as significant risk factors for hyperglycemia in pediatric ALL patients.
  • Invasive fungal infections were more prevalent in patients with overt hyperglycemia (26.1%) compared to those with mild hyperglycemia (13.9%) and euglycemia (6.4%).
  • The study suggested that early identification of high-risk patients, close glucose monitoring, and providing infection prophylaxis during treatment can enhance outcomes in pediatric ALL patients.
  • The research has been peer-reviewed and published in the International Journal of Cancer.

Statistics:

  • 45.2% of pediatric ALL patients developed hyperglycemia during induction therapy.
  • Overt hyperglycemia occurred in 15.4% of patients.
  • Mild hyperglycemia occurred in 29.8% of patients.
  • 1711 pediatric ALL patients were treated between 2016 and 2019.
  • 26.1% of patients with overt hyperglycemia developed invasive fungal infections.
  • 13.9% of patients with mild hyperglycemia developed invasive fungal infections.
  • 6.4% of patients with euglycemia developed invasive fungal infections.

Sources:

  • Risk Factors and Clinical Implications of Hyperglycemia During Induction Therapy In Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. International Journal of Cancer, 2025.
  • Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt Cche 5737, Pediat Oncol Dept, Cairo, Egypt.
  • International Journal of Cancer. Wiley, 111 River St, Hoboken 07030-5774, NJ, USA.
  • Yassin Y. Taher, Children's Cancer Hospital Egypt Cche 5737, Pediat Oncol Dept, Cairo, Egypt.
  • Leslie Lehmann, Manal Zamzam, Iman Sidhom, Alaa El-Haddad, H. Mona Atteya, Hala Reda, and Abdullah A. Abuelhassan.

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