Transitory diabetes mellitus in children during treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Abstract

Intensification of treatment of acute Iymphoblastic leukemia in children causes the increase of side effects, in this number diabetes mellitus. This disorder has a different character from „real” diabetes, very complicated etiology and most often – transitory duration. The diabetogenic activity is attributed first of all to corticosteroids and L-asparaginase. Early diagnosis and proper treatment (cessation of diabetogenic drugs, a diet and insulin therapy) make possible fast regression of clinical and biochemical abnormalities and, what is the most important, enables a continuation of chemotherapy. We present 3 cases of transitory diabetes mellitus in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.