2,3-DIPHOSPHOGLYCERATE LEVELS IN CHILDREN WITH IRON DEFICIENCY ANEMIA AND ACUTE LEUKEMIA

Abstract. Red cell organic phosphates and especially 2,3-diphosphoglycerate (2,3-DPG), lowers the oxygen affinity of hemoglobin (Hb) and shifts the oxygen dissociation curve to the right. Because of the importance of 2,3-DPG (as regulator of the oxygen affinity of Hb), determinations were carried out on: 45 normal children, 7 children with iron deficiency anemia and 35 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. In normal children with Hb of 12.69±1.60 g/100 ml, 2,3-DPG was 14.90±0.68 μmoles/g Hb. In children with iron deficiency anemia (Hb 7.94±1.20 g/100 ml), 2,3-DPG was 20.87±3.11 μmoles/g Hb. 2,3-DPG was normal (14.11±0.88 μmoles/g Hb), in 16 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia who had never relapsed, while in 19 patients with a history of one or more relapses, 2,3-DPG levels were increased (22.05 ±2.75 μmoles/g Hb). No good explanation may be offered for the high 2,3-DPG levels in these leukemic children.