SIALIC-ACID CONCENTRATION IN DIFFERENT STAGES OF MALIGNANT-LYMPHOMA AND LEUKEMIA IN CHILDREN

Sialic acid concentration in the blood serum of 104 children suffering from leukemia and malignant lymphomas was determined. A significant h igher concentration of sialic acid was found at the onset of the disea se, compared to the controls. In the group of children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia a dependence was noted between the stage of the disease and the concentration of sialic acid in the serum. The high concentration of sialic acid at the onset of the disease, althoug h decreasing during treatment, rose again during relapses of the disea se. It seems that determination of sialic acid concentration may be us eful in monitoring treatment.