Time Trends and Geographical Distribution of Childhood Leukaemia in Basrah, Iraq, from 2004 to 2009
Journal Title: Sultan Qaboos University Medical Journal - Year 2011, Vol 11, Issue 2
Abstract
Objectives: Tis study aimed to assess the incidence and trend of childhood leukaemia in Basrah. Methods: Tis was a hospital-based cancer registry study carried out at the Pediatric Oncology Ward, Maternity & Children’s Hospital and other institutes in Basrah, Iraq. All children with leukaemia, aged 0 to 14 years diagnosed and registered in Basrah from January 2004 to December 2009 were included in the study. Teir records were retrieved and studied. Te pattern of childhood leukaemia by year of diagnosis, age at diagnosis, morphological subtypes, and geographical distribution was analysed. Rates of childhood leukaemia over time were calculated for six years using standard linear regression. Results: Te total number of cases of childhood leukaemia was 181. Te number of cases ranged from 21 in year 1, to 31 in the fnal year reaching a peak of 39 in 2006. Leukaemia rates did not change over the study period (test for trend was not signifcant, P = 0.81). Te trend line shows a shift towards younger children (less than 5 years). Te commonest types of leukaemia were acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), then acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) and fnally chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML). Conclusion: Annual rates of childhood leukaemia in Basrah were similar to those in other countries with a trend towards younger children. Tis raises the question about the effect of environmental catastrophes in the alteration of some specifc rates of childhood leukaemia, rather than the overall incidence rate. Tere is a need for further epidemiological studies to understand the aetiology of childhood leukaemia in Basrah.
Authors and Affiliations
Laith A Alrudainy| Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Basrah, Iraq, Jenan G Hassan| Basrah Maternity and Children Hospital, Basrah, Iraq, Hussam M Salih| Basrah Maternity and Children Hospital, Basrah, Iraq, Mohammed K Abbas| Basrah Maternity and Children Hospital, Basrah, Iraq, Athar AS Majeed| Basrah Maternity and Children Hospital, Basrah, Iraq
Keywords
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