PROTEIN-C AND ANTITHROMBIN-III IN CHILDREN WITH ACUTE-LEUKEMIA

In this study Protein C (PC) and antithrombin III (AT III) levels in c hildhood acute leukemia were investigated. The mean PC activity levels in 19 newly diagnosed cases of acute leukemia were significantly lowe r as compared with the normal controls (p < 0.05). A significant incre ase was found (p < 0.01) in the patients in remission. Prior to treatm ent 78.8 percent of patients had decreased PC activity levels, but all patients had normal PC activity during remission. Decreased PC activi ty levels were found to be independent of the leukocyte count and live r function. No statistically significant difference was found in the A T III antigen levels between the untreated patients, the patients in r emission and the control group. Our results indicate that apart from t hrombocytopenia, low PC activity levels and alterations in fibrinolysi s and coagulation may be responsible for the hemorrhagic manifestation s observed in cases of acute leukemia.