Antioxidant Levels at Diagnosis in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract

To measure serum zinc, selenium, retinol and tocoferol levels at diagnosis of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and to compare it to that of a control population. Correlation was made with episodes of febrile neutropenia during the first 8 wk of therapy. Fasting levels of serum zinc, selenium, retinol and tocoferol were measured in 45 children diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia and in 20 healthy controls. Lower levels of baseline selenium and tocoferol were noted in patients who developed febrile neutropenia compared to the patients who did not (p = 0.022 and 0.026 respectively). Serum retinol was also lower in patients who developed sepsis when compared to those who did not. Supplementation of antioxidants may be considered in clinical trials aiming at reducing infection related morbidity and mortality.