Prevalence of Acute Leukemia (ALL and AML) Among Children at a Libyan Cancer Center (2020-2022)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61952/jlabw.v2i1.497Keywords:
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia, acute myeloid leukemia, children, Libya, prevalence, blood profileAbstract
Background: Acute leukemia, particularly acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML), is the most common childhood cancer worldwide, with varying regional patterns.
Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study analyzed 49 pediatric cases (<16 years) diagnosed with acute leukemia at the National Cancer Institute (formerly Misurata Cancer Center), Libya, from 2020-2022. Data on diagnosis, demographics, and blood profiles were extracted from records. Descriptive statistics and inferential tests (chi-square, Fisher's exact, Mann-Whitney U) were performed using SPSS v.27.
Results: ALL comprised 85.7% (n=42, 95% CI: 73.3-92.9%) of cases vs. AML 14.3% (n=7). ALL predominated in ages 1-5 years (χ²=7.05, p=0.030); no significant sex difference (p=1.0). WBC medians did not differ significantly between groups (p=0.62).
Conclusion: Hospital-based data confirm ALL dominance in young Libyan children, aligning with African trends but warranting population-based incidence studies.
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