AUTHOR=Zou Bing , Jiang Jiezhi , Liu Mengmei , Chen Yaxue , Jin Yan , Pu Hongjiang 

TITLE=Global, regional, and national epidemiology of childhood Burkitt Lymphoma from 1990 to 2021: statistical analysis of incidence, mortality, and DALYs

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=Volume 13 - 2025

YEAR=2025

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1560003

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2025.1560003

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=ObjectiveEpidemiological data concerning Burkitt Lymphoma (BL) in children aged 0–14 years remain limited. This study examines the trends in incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), as well as the estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) associated with childhood Burkitt Lymphoma within this demographic from 1990 to 2021.MethodsThe 2021 Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) analytical tools were utilized to evaluate the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) associated with childhood Burkitt Lymphoma in individuals aged 0–14 years. This analysis incorporated variables such as age, sex, region, and sociodemographic index (SDI), utilizing data from 204 countries or regions. A comprehensive examination of health disparities was undertaken to investigate variations in mortality and DALYs among different population groups. Additionally, the Bayesian age-period-cohort (BAPC) model was employed to forecast incidence, mortality, and DALYs through the year 2035.ResultsIn 2021, a total of 4,083 cases of childhood Burkitt Lymphoma were documented globally. This represents an increase from 2,800 cases reported in 1990, with a 95% uncertainty interval (UI) ranging from 1,609.001 to 3,989.282, to 4,083 cases in 2021 (95% UI, 2,619.594 to 5,376.872), indicating a 31.45% rise over the period. During this 30-year span, the global incidence rate escalated from 0.172 per 100,000 individuals in 1990 (95% UI, 0.099 to 0.245) to 0.216 per 100,000 individuals in 2021 (95% UI, 0.138 to 0.285). Concurrently, the mortality rate associated with childhood Burkitt Lymphoma increased from 0.152 per 100,000 individuals in 1990 (95% UI, 0.079 to 0.224) to 0.163 per 100,000 individuals in 2021 (95% UI, 0.100 to 0.216). The highest incidence in 2021 was recorded in Sub-Saharan East Africa, while Sub-Saharan Southern Africa experienced the most pronounced increase in incidence, with an annual percent change (APC) of 3.226% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.092–4.373%). The age group most affected was children aged 5–9 years, who constituted 33.3% of the cases.ConclusionBetween 1990 and 2021, there was a notable rise in the incidence of childhood Burkitt Lymphoma, with a pronounced increase observed in Sub-Saharan Africa. The age group of 5–9 years exhibited the highest incidence and mortality rates, underscoring the critical need for early diagnosis and intervention. Although regions with high Socio-Demographic Index (SDI) have demonstrated advancements in reducing mortality rates, areas with low SDI necessitate improved medical resources and the implementation of standardized treatment protocols. The escalating incidence in specific regions underscores the urgent need for comprehensive research into the disease’s etiology and the development of enhanced prevention strategies.