Analysis of global trends in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children aged 0–5 years from 1990 to 2021

BackgroundAcute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer, with a significant global burden. This study evaluates global, regional, and national trends in the prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of childhood ALL from 1990 to 2021, providing insigh...

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Main Authors: Fang Ding, Lili Deng, Jingxuan Xiong, Zugen Cheng, Jiaoli Xu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1542649/full
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author Fang Ding
Lili Deng
Jingxuan Xiong
Zugen Cheng
Jiaoli Xu
author_facet Fang Ding
Lili Deng
Jingxuan Xiong
Zugen Cheng
Jiaoli Xu
author_sort Fang Ding
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundAcute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer, with a significant global burden. This study evaluates global, regional, and national trends in the prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of childhood ALL from 1990 to 2021, providing insights into disparities and progress across different socio-demographic and geographic contexts.MethodsData were sourced from the Global Burden of Disease study. Trends in prevalence, mortality, and DALYs were analyzed by socio-demographic index (SDI) regions, geographic areas, and countries. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were used to quantify temporal trends.FindingsBetween 1990 and 2021, the global number of childhood ALL cases increased by 59.06%, reaching 168,879 cases in 2021, while ALL-related deaths and DALYs decreased by 66.71% and 66.13%, respectively. High- and high-middle SDI regions demonstrated significant improvements, driven by advances in healthcare and early diagnosis. In contrast, low-SDI regions faced persistent challenges, with a slight increase in DALYs observed in 2021. Geographic disparities were pronounced, with East Asia achieving the largest reductions in mortality and DALYs, whereas Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean remained heavily burdened.InterpretationDespite progress in reducing mortality and DALYs globally, the rising prevalence of ALL and persistent disparities in low-SDI regions highlight the urgent need for equitable access to healthcare, early diagnosis, and effective treatment strategies. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure and fostering global collaboration are critical to further mitigating the burden of childhood ALL and ensuring equitable outcomes worldwide.
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spelling doaj-art-57e8aceeafd64dd1865b0bdd6ccbf0852025-08-20T02:52:42ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Pediatrics2296-23602025-03-011310.3389/fped.2025.15426491542649Analysis of global trends in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children aged 0–5 years from 1990 to 2021Fang Ding0Lili Deng1Jingxuan Xiong2Zugen Cheng3Jiaoli Xu4Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, ChinaDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, ChinaDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, ChinaDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, ChinaDepartment of Cardiovascular Medicine, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming City, Yunnan Province, ChinaBackgroundAcute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric cancer, with a significant global burden. This study evaluates global, regional, and national trends in the prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of childhood ALL from 1990 to 2021, providing insights into disparities and progress across different socio-demographic and geographic contexts.MethodsData were sourced from the Global Burden of Disease study. Trends in prevalence, mortality, and DALYs were analyzed by socio-demographic index (SDI) regions, geographic areas, and countries. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were used to quantify temporal trends.FindingsBetween 1990 and 2021, the global number of childhood ALL cases increased by 59.06%, reaching 168,879 cases in 2021, while ALL-related deaths and DALYs decreased by 66.71% and 66.13%, respectively. High- and high-middle SDI regions demonstrated significant improvements, driven by advances in healthcare and early diagnosis. In contrast, low-SDI regions faced persistent challenges, with a slight increase in DALYs observed in 2021. Geographic disparities were pronounced, with East Asia achieving the largest reductions in mortality and DALYs, whereas Sub-Saharan Africa and the Caribbean remained heavily burdened.InterpretationDespite progress in reducing mortality and DALYs globally, the rising prevalence of ALL and persistent disparities in low-SDI regions highlight the urgent need for equitable access to healthcare, early diagnosis, and effective treatment strategies. Strengthening healthcare infrastructure and fostering global collaboration are critical to further mitigating the burden of childhood ALL and ensuring equitable outcomes worldwide.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1542649/fullGBD (global burden of disease)children acute lymphoblastic leukemiatumorprevalencemortalityDALYs—disability-adjusted life years
spellingShingle Fang Ding
Lili Deng
Jingxuan Xiong
Zugen Cheng
Jiaoli Xu
Analysis of global trends in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children aged 0–5 years from 1990 to 2021
Frontiers in Pediatrics
GBD (global burden of disease)
children acute lymphoblastic leukemia
tumor
prevalence
mortality
DALYs—disability-adjusted life years
title Analysis of global trends in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children aged 0–5 years from 1990 to 2021
title_full Analysis of global trends in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children aged 0–5 years from 1990 to 2021
title_fullStr Analysis of global trends in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children aged 0–5 years from 1990 to 2021
title_full_unstemmed Analysis of global trends in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children aged 0–5 years from 1990 to 2021
title_short Analysis of global trends in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children aged 0–5 years from 1990 to 2021
title_sort analysis of global trends in acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children aged 0 5 years from 1990 to 2021
topic GBD (global burden of disease)
children acute lymphoblastic leukemia
tumor
prevalence
mortality
DALYs—disability-adjusted life years
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fped.2025.1542649/full
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