[Iron, copper and iron/copper index in the serum during remission of acute leukemia in children].

In 57 children in remissions of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia 217 determinations of serum iron (Fe) and copper (Cu) levels were done. In 85% of cases serum Fe and Cu were determined simultaneously with bone marrow examination. Raised mean Cu level in complete remission (20.64 mumol/1) decreased with continuing remission to values observed in healthy children (18.40 mumol/1). The considerable rise in Cu serum level in cases with extramedullary location of the disease (26.04 mumol/1), in infections complicating remissions (23.32 mumol/1) and in the group of children with remission in whom recurrence of leukaemia developed after 0,5-2 months (26,84 mumol/1) was associated with a significant fall of serum Fe level in cases with organ location of the disease (12.82 mumol/1) and during bacterial and viral infections (12.67 mumol/1). The Fe/Cu index was highest in the group with remission extending over 3 years (0,89) and it was significantly low in the group with extramedullary location of the disease (0.45) and in infections during leukaemia remission (0.48). Determination of serum level of Fe, and even more of Cu was found to be useful in the management of children during remission of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.