Childhood acute leukemias are frequent in Mexico City: descriptive epidemiology
2011

Childhood Acute Leukemias in Mexico City: A Study on Incidence

Sample size: 228 publication 10 minutes Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): Pérez-Saldivar María Luisa, Fajardo-Gutiérrez Arturo, Bernáldez-Ríos Roberto, Martínez-Avalos Armando, Medina-Sanson Aurora, Espinosa-Hernández Laura, Flores-Chapa José de Diego, Amador-Sánchez Raquel, Peñaloza-González José Gabriel, Álvarez-Rodríguez Francisco Javier, Bolea-Murga Victoria, Flores-Lujano Janet, Rodríguez-Zepeda María del Carmen, Rivera-Luna Roberto, Dorantes-Acosta Elisa María, Jiménez-Hernández Elva, Alvarado-Ibarra Martha, Velázquez-Aviña Martha Margarita, Torres-Nava José Refugio, Duarte-Rodríguez David Aldebarán, Paredes-Aguilera Rogelio, del Campo-Martínez María de los Ángeles, Cárdenas-Cardos Rocío, Alamilla-Galicia Paola Hillary, Bekker-Méndez Vilma Carolina, Ortega-Alvarez Manuel Carlos, Mejia-Arangure Juan Manuel

Primary Institution: Unidad de Investigación en Epidemiología Clínica, Unidad Médica de Alta Especialidad UMAE Hospital de Pediatría, Centro Médico Nacional (CMN) Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano de Seguridad Social (IMSS), México D.F., México

Hypothesis

What is the incidence of acute leukemia in children diagnosed and treated in public hospitals in Mexico City?

Conclusion

The frequency of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Mexico City is among the highest in the world.

Supporting Evidence

  • 610 new cases of leukemia were registered during 2006-2007, but only 228 fit the study criteria.
  • 85.1% of the cases were acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
  • 73.2% of ALL cases had precursor B-cell immunophenotype.
  • 58.8% of children were classified as high risk.

Takeaway

This study found that many kids in Mexico City get a type of blood cancer called leukemia, especially a kind called acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Methodology

The study included children under 15 diagnosed with leukemia in public hospitals in Mexico City during 2006-2007, analyzing incidence rates and correlations with socio-economic factors.

Potential Biases

There may be an overestimation of incidence due to the way cases were registered.

Limitations

The study only included children treated in public hospitals, potentially missing cases from private institutions.

Participant Demographics

Children under 15 years of age, residents of Mexico City.

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.02

Confidence Interval

95% CI, 46.9-68.3

Statistical Significance

p=0.02

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1471-2407-11-355

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