RELACIÓN DE LA LEUCEMIA LINFOBLÁSTICA AGUDA CON LA EXPOSICIÓN A AGROQUÍMICOS EN NIÑOS, HOSPITAL SOLCA GUAYAQUIL: 2010-2020

Abstract

The association between acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the pediatric population and exposure to agrochemicals has been suggested in studies. However, in Ecuador, the bibliography needs to be more conclusive. The study aims to determine if there is a relationship between the disease of children from 0 to 4 years of age and exposure to agrochemicals, compared to a control group. In addition, the study described sociodemographic characteristics and geographic distribution. An observational, analytical, and case-control study was carried out using non-probabilistic convenience sampling. All cases of children with leukemia (n=42) between 2010-2020 were obtained from the medical records of the SOLCA hospital in Guayaquil. The control population (n=84) was identified from the patient registry of the Sauces 3 Health Center system. Unregistered data were obtained through telephone surveys directed at parents. It was found that leukemia cases are not related to greater exposure to agrochemicals in fathers (OR:0.92, IC95%: 0.28-2.67), mothers (OR:0.67, IC 95%: 0.17-2.19) or in both parents (OR:0.75, IC95%: 0.25-2.02). The majority of patients lived in the urban area (82.2%); Guayas was the province with the most frequent residence (71.3%), followed by Los Ríos (7.9%) and Manabí (7.9%). The results suggest no statistically significant association between ALL in children and agrochemical exposure.