[DNA index determined by flow cytometry in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia as an additional diagnostic and prognostic element].

The aim of the study was to establish the frequency of aneuploidy in bone marrow and peripheral blood cells in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and to determine DNA index (DI), as an additional prognostic factor. The DNA content of cells was determined by flow cytometry using propidium iodide staining. The bone marrow and peripheral blood of 22 children were examined at the time of diagnosis. The diploid cell population (DI = 1) was found in 10 children (45%). Hiperdiploidy was found in 12(55%) children. DI > or = 1.16 was found in 7 children (32%) and 1 < DI < 1.6 in 5 children (23%). In one patient with DI > 1.16 two hiperdiploidal cell populations were found. In another one hipodiploidy with a hiperdiploidal cell populations coexisted. DI was compared with other prognostic factors--initial leukocyte count, immunophenotype, reaction to the treatment.