Houston Daily

Researchers at the University of Houston, in partnership with Baylor College of Medicine, are working on developing new devices aimed at improving treatments for children suffering from hyperleukocytosis. This condition is characterized by an abnormally high number of white blood cells and is often associated with leukemia.

Leukemia remains the most prevalent form of cancer among children, with around 5 cases per 100,000 children annually in the United States. Among those diagnosed with acute leukemia, up to 20–30% develop hyperleukocytosis, which can lead to severe complications.

While chemotherapy serves as the primary treatment for acute leukemia, leukapheresis offers a critical option to quickly lower dangerously high white blood cell counts. This procedure involves using a large machine that separates leukocytes from the blood through centrifugation before returning it to the patient.

However, traditional blood-filtering machines pose several risks for pediatric patients:

- High extracorporeal volume (ECV): Children have significantly less blood than adults; thus, removing too much during a procedure can lead to weakness or serious health issues.

- High flow rates: The rapid movement of blood through these machines necessitates large-bore central catheters and places additional stress on children's bodies due to their smaller blood volumes.

- Loss of platelets: Excessive loss can hinder clotting ability and increase bleeding risk.

The collaborative research effort aims to address these concerns by creating safer devices tailored specifically for treating young patients with this life-threatening condition.