A cross-sectional analysis of the global burden of childhood leukemia from 1990 to 2021.

BACKGROUND

Childhood leukemia is a common malignant tumor worldwide, affecting survival rates and posing medical and public health challenges. Assessing its global burden is essential for informing prevention, treatment, and policy efforts.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional study based on data from the 2021 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study, covering the years 1990 to 2021 and including 204 countries and regions. We analyzed the incidence, mortality, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) for childhood leukemia. Subgroup analyses were conducted by age, gender, region, and Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) levels to explore disparities and trends.

RESULTS

Since 1990, the global burden of childhood leukemia has decreased significantly, with a 59.03% reduction in DALYs. Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) experienced the largest decline, with incidence, mortality, and DALYs reduced by more than 70%. However, disparities persist: boys generally have a higher burden, and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) remains the most common subtype. East Asia and Andean Latin America reported the highest burden of ALL in 2021. Incidence is highest in high-SDI regions, but mortality rates decrease as SDI increases. Similar trends were observed for DALYs, with better outcomes in high-SDI regions.

CONCLUSIONS

Since 1990, childhood leukemia DALYs decreased by 59.03%, with CML showing the largest decline (> 70% in incidence, mortality, and DALYs). ALL remains the most common subtype, with the highest burden in East Asia and Andean Latin America. High-SDI regions report higher incidence but lower mortality, indicating better outcomes than low-SDI regions.