leukemia in children

Signs and Symptoms of Leukemia in Children



Many of these symptoms may be due to other conditions, most of the time. Still, it is important to talk to your child's doctor and report any symptoms, so that the cause can be diagnosed and, if necessary, initiated.

The symptoms of leukemia in children are caused by the decrease in red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets. This decrease is observed in the blood tests, but it can also cause symptoms. Leukemic cells can invade other areas of the body, leading to some signs and symptoms.

The main signs and symptoms of leukemia are:

    Symptoms due to decreased Red Blood Cells (Anemia). Scarcity of red blood cells can cause fatigue, weakness, feeling cold, dizziness, headaches, shortness of breath and pallor.

    Symptoms due to decreased white blood cells. Infections and fever.

    Symptoms due to decreased platelets. A shortage of platelets can lead to bruising, bleeding and bleeding gums.

    Pain in Bones or Joints. This can be caused by the accumulation of leukemic cells near the surface of bone or joints.

    Swelling of the Abdomen. Leukemic cells can accumulate in the liver and spleen increasing in size. This can be noticed as a swelling in the belly. Lower ribs usually cover these organs, but when they are enlarged the doctor may examine the abdomen, determine how much they have increased, and whether palpation is present.

    Loss of appetite and weight loss. If the enlargement of the spleen or liver is too large, they may press other organs such as the stomach, limiting food intake and leading to loss of appetite and weight over time.

    Increased Lymph Nodes. Some types of leukemia can spread to the lymph nodes causing them to increase in size. Lymph nodes often increase in size because they are fighting infection, especially in infants and children. An enlarged lymph node in a child is usually a sign of infection but should be examined and followed up by a physician.

    Cough or Breathing Difficulty. Acute lymphoid leukemia type T often involves the thymus. The enlargement of the thymus or lymph nodes of the chest may press the trachea, causing coughing or difficulty breathing.

    Swelling of the Face and Arms. The superior vena cava, which carries blood from the head and arms back to the heart, passes to the side of the thymus. An enlarged thymus due to excess leukemic cells may press the superior vena cava, causing the superior vena cava syndrome. This can cause swelling in the face, neck, upper arms and upper chest, headaches, dizziness and altered consciousness. The superior vena cava syndrome should be treated immediately.

    Headache, Seizures, Vomiting. Some children may have disseminated leukemia to the brain and bone marrow at the time of diagnosis. This can lead to symptoms such as headaches, concentration problems, weakness, seizures, vomiting, balance problems, and blurred vision.


Skin Rashes, Gum Problems. In children with acute myeloid leukemia, leukemic cells can invade the gingiva, causing pain, swelling and bleeding. Spread to the skin may cause small dark colored spots that may resemble common rashes.

    Fatigue and Weakness. A rare but severe consequence of acute myeloid leukemia is fatigue, weakness, and speech problems. This can occur when a high number of leukemic cells makes blood thick, slowing the circulation through the thin blood vessels of the brain.

However, most of these symptoms can be triggered by other pathologies. Talk to your child's doctor so that the cause is diagnosed and, if necessary, started treatment.