The effect of Aloe vera syrup on prevention of fever and neutropenia in children with acute lymphoid leukemia

Background: Given that few studies regarding the effect of Aloe vera (A. vera) on prevention of fever and neutropenia on acute lymphoid leukemia (ALL) disease, the aim was to evaluate the effect of A.vera on prevention of fever and neutropenia in children with ALL. Materials and Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was conducted on 60 children with mean age 5.6± 2.9 years in Oncology department of Shahid Sadoughi hospital during 2018-2019. All these children were underwent chemotherapy. Then, the patients were randomly classified into two groups. The first group received 10 ml A. vera syrup (0.5 mg/ml) for 30 days (case group) and the second group did not receive A. vera syrup (control group). Complete blood count (CBC) tests and frequency of fever, infection, neutropenia, and hospitalization were evaluated in case and control groups before and after intervention. Wilcoxon, T test, and Chi Square test were used for data analysis. Results: Significant reduction was observed in case group in comparison with control group regarding the frequency of fever (0.19 ±0.107 vs 1.07±0.206), infection (0.81 ±0.2 vs 1.87± 0.236), hospitalization (0.37±0.178 vs 1.33 ±0.187), and neutropenia (0.11± 0.062 vs 0.80 ± 0.2) (p<0.01). Moreover, significant increase was observed in case group in comparison with control group considering neutrophil count (2597.5±243.1 vs 1106.53±161.6) and white blood cell (WBC) (4062.96 ± 276.6 vs 2566.67 ±175.5) (p<0.01). In addition, recovery of appetite was significantly greater in case group than control group (p=0.023). Furthermore, significant difference was observed in case group before and after intervention regarding these parameters (p<0.05). Conclusion: According to findings, A. vera consumption decreased frequency of infection, neutropenia, fever, and hospitalization and increased WBC and neutrophil count.  Moreover, appetite was improved in these patients. Therefore, it seems that A.vera can be used for improving quality of life in children with ALL