Epidemiology of acute leukemia in Iraqi children

ABSTRACT

An epidemiologic study was conducted on 277 patients with acute leukemias. The study revealed that 87% had acute lympboctic leukemia [ALL] and 13% acute nonlymphoctic leukemia [ANLL]. According to FAB.- classification of cell morphology for ALL, L1 represented 67%, L2 26%, and L37%. The peak age incidence was 2-6 years, with 60% boys and 40% girls. 80% were from low socio-economic class. A seasonal clustering was observed, a low incidence of Rh-blood group was enocountered in our patients. Down's syndrome represented only 1% of the total cases with ALL. 90% of the pregnant mothers With a child suffering from ALL delivered a baby of the same sex of the affected child. For ANLL 72% of them were boys. From this study, for ALL the age, sex, and different types of leukemias are similar to that abroad. The higher incidence of L2 and L3, with a majority from, low socioeconomic class and seasonal clustering are significant findings in this study, a newborn sib of the same sex of the affected child a unique observation