Uso de pesticidas en zonas agrícolas rurales como factor causal de leucemia linfoblástica aguda en menores de 5 años atendidos en el Hospital Oncológico de SOLCA Portoviejo en el periodo 2021-2022.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the use of pesticides in rural agricultural areas as a possible causal factor in the development of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children under five years old treated at the SOLCA Portoviejo oncology hospital during the period 2021-2022. METHODS: A retrospective, cross-sectional observational study was conducted. Data were collected from medical records of children under five years old diagnosed with ALL at the SOLCA Portoviejo hospital. Variables such as age, sex, geographic area, causal factor, and symptoms related to pesticide exposure were analyzed. RESULTS: Out of a total of 99 pediatric patients diagnosed with ALL, 94.5% presented B-cell lymphoblastic leukemia, and 86.9% lived in rural areas. 75.7% of ALL cases were associated with exposure to benzene, a pesticide commonly used in agricultural areas. The patients with the highest prevalence of the disease were five years old, and the most frequent symptom was fever. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged exposure to pesticides, especially in rural areas, may be related to an increase in the incidence of ALL in children under five years old. Although a direct causal relationship has not been confirmed, the findings suggest that pesticides could be a significant risk factor. Stricter regulations and further research on the impact of pesticides on children's health are recommended.