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Early doxorubicin cardiotoxicity in Malawian children admitted to Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, Malawi.
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  • Dominic Moyo,
  • Yamikani Chimalizeni,
  • Clifford Banda,
  • George Chagaluka,
  • Elizabeth Molyneux
Dominic Moyo
Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Yamikani Chimalizeni
Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital
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Clifford Banda
Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital
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George Chagaluka
Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital
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Elizabeth Molyneux
College of Medicine, University of Malawi
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Abstract

Abstract: Background. Doxorubicin chemotherapy drug , use is limited by it’s potential to cause cardiotoxicity. In resource poor settings, like Malawi, monitoring of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity is not routinely conducted in cancer patients and the incidence of doxorubicin cardiotoxicity is not known. Methods. Children aged 3 months to 18 years with cancer were prospectively enrolled from the paediatric oncology ward and followed up from January 2016 to June 2019. Transthoracic echocardiographic monitoring of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was done at baseline, one month, six months and a year after completion of therapy. Cardiotoxicity was defined as a decline in LVEF of ≥10% to a final value of <50%, and an overall incidence risk of developing cardiotoxicity was estimated. A one-way analysis of variance was conducted to compare baseline LVEF with that measured during follow up intervals. Findings. A total of 91 children were enrolled into the study, 74% (68/91) were male, and 67% (62/91) were aged 5 months to 14 years. Burkitt lymphoma was diagnosed in 41% (38/91) of the children. No one experienced cardiotoxicity during the study period. However, of 77 children who had at least one follow up, five children 6·54% (95% CI: 2.1-14.5) experienced a reduction in LVEF of >10%, though not to a final value of <50%. No deterioration of systolic function was found among 20 children who had completed follow up. (F= 2·43, p-value=0·07). Interpretation. In this cohort, there were no observed cardiotoxic events associated with doxorubicin administration as per pre-defined criterion
18 Sep 2020Submission Checks Completed
18 Sep 2020Assigned to Editor
18 Sep 2020Submitted to Pediatric Blood & Cancer
28 Sep 2020Reviewer(s) Assigned
24 Oct 2020Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
25 Oct 2020Editorial Decision: Revise Major
25 Jan 20211st Revision Received
25 Jan 2021Submission Checks Completed
25 Jan 2021Assigned to Editor
28 Jan 2021Reviewer(s) Assigned
13 Feb 2021Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
15 Feb 2021Editorial Decision: Accept