[Leukocyte count and granulocyte function of children under lithium carbonate therapy treated with cytostatic drugs. A pilot study].

The usefullness of lithium carbonate for attenuation of leukopenia due to chemotherapy was studied in a prospective randomized trial. Chemotherapy for solid tumors was applied in a paired manner 24 times without and 24 times with lithiumcarbonate. Simultaneously, nucleotid-dependent functions of granulocytes were examined. An attenuation of leukopenia by lithium was observed. Toxic side effects within the therapeutic range of the serum level (0.3-1.4 mol/l) were not detected. Lithium did not impair adherence, chemotaxis and degranulation of neutrophile granulocytes. The influences of lithium on stem-cell maturation and granulocyte function are discussed.