Abstract
Most children with leukaemia are anaemic at the time of diagnosis and at various times during treatment. Serum erythropoietin (EPO) was estimated by a radioimmunoassay method in 27 children with acute leukaemia (n=26) or lymphoma (n=1) at diagnosis (n=16), in relation to high dose methotrexate (MTX, n=11) or cytosine ara-binoside (Ara-C, n=8), and during oral maintenance therapy with MTX and 6-mercaptopurine (n=10). At diagnosis serum EPO was increased in the children with anaemia, and inversely related to haemoglobin (Hb, r=-0.94, p<0.00005). After high dose MTX, in some children serum EPO increased where Hb was unchanged or increased. After high dose Ara-C Hb declined, and serum EPO increased markedly in all cases. During oral maintenance therapy when Hb was in the normal range, serum EPO was slightly increased in some children. In conclusion, children with leukaemia respond to anaemia with an increase in serum EPO concentration, but in relation to treatment with high dose MTX and Ara-C, additional mechanisms may influence the EPO concentration.
Log in or create a free account to read this content
Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com
or
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Hellebostad, M., Marstrander, J., Sørdahl, S. et al. 43 SERUM IMMUNOREACTIVE ERYTHROPOIETIN IN CHILDREN WITH ACUTE LEUKAEMIA AT VARIOUS STAGES OF DISEASE, AND THE EFFECTS OF TREATMENT. Pediatr Res 28, 284 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199009000-00067
Issue date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199009000-00067
