Evaluation of Immunoglobulin-A Level in Children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Background: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common type of leukemia among children. Immunoglobulin A is the most numerous immunoglobulin isotype in mucosal secretion. Immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency can increase risk of cancer in patients. Since few studies have been done on relation between serum IgA and ALL, this study was attempted to evaluate serum IgA in ALL patients. Materials and Methods: In this descriptive analytical study, 28 pediatric patients diagnosed with ALL with mean age of 6.75± 3.29 ranged from 1 to11 years old and 28 controls with mean age of 7.31± 4.12 ranged from 2 to 12 years old were chosen from Shahid Sadoughi Hospital. Serum IgA was measured by immunotorbidometric method (Pars Azmoon Kit, Iran). Pearson and Independent t test were used for the analysis of data. Results: In this study, the mean level of IgA was lower in patients with ALL (82.5± 21.3 mg/dl) in comparison to control group (113.2± 26.62 mg/dl). Moreover, there was significant difference between two groups (P<0.01). Regarding patients age, no significant difference was seen either (P>0.05). Conclusion: According to the results of the present study, the serum level of IgA was significantly lower in ALL pediatric patients than the control group; however, it was in normal range in both groups. More studies are needed to strongly conclude IgA deficiency as a new risk factor or as a new marker of ALL in children. Other immunoglobulins are recommended to be considered in patients with ALL in further studies.