Effect of Bovine Colostrum on the Absolute Neutrophil Count of Pediatric Patients with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia undergoing Chemotherapy – A Double Blind Randomized Placebo Controlled Study

Background: Changes in the blood counts mainly leukopenia and neutropenia in patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) are common adverse events following chemotherapy. These commonly delays further administration of chemotherapeutic agents thereby potentially affecting therapeutic outcomes. Bovine colostrum has shown some promises in different fields of medicine and one claim is its use in prevention of neutropenia. However, there are no studies to support such claim

Objective: The general objective of this study is to determine the efficacy of a 1 week supplementation of bovine colostrum in preventing neutropenia among patients with ALL undergoing standard chemotherapy.

Methodology: This is a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study involving the use of bovine colostrum for 1 week against placebo in preventing neutropenia among patients aged 6 months to 18 years old diagnosed with ALL, and undergoing chemotherapy using the standard protocol. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either the bovine colostrum of the placebo by fishbowl technique which were given orally 2x a day for 7 days starting simultaneously with the chemotherapy before the outcome measures were evaluated.

Results: A total of 21 subjects were enrolled, 10 of them received the placebo while 11 received the bovine colostrum. Majority in both treatment group belonged to the age group of 1-9 yrs old and most are male. There was significant increase in the Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) of patients given bovine colostrum as compared to the placebo group. There was also noted significant increase in the WBC and platelet counts among those who were given Bovine Colostrum. No incidence of infection or untoward effects on both treatment groups.

Conclusion: This study shows that Bovine Colostrum is effective and safe in preventing leukopenia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia among ALL patients undergoing chemotherapy thereby preventing delays in chemotherapy.

Keywords: neutropenia, ALL, ANC, bovine colostrum, chemotherapy