"How Can I Know If My Baby Has Leukemia?"

Diagnosing Leukemia in Infants

To determine if an infant has leukemia, clinical diagnosis primarily involves observing the baby's clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, and bone marrow aspiration. Leukemia is a malignant neoplasm of the hematopoietic system, primarily caused by mechanisms such as uncontrolled proliferation, impaired differentiation, and blocked apoptosis.

1. Clinical Manifestations:

After developing leukemia, infants typically exhibit symptoms such as fever, infection, bleeding, and anemia. Since leukemia affects platelet synthesis, it can also lead to coagulation disorders, manifesting as skin petechiae, ecchymoses, or uncontrollable bleeding. Additionally, bleeding points may appear on the skin and mucous membranes, including the nose, gums, and conjunctiva.

2. Laboratory Tests:

The baby can undergo a complete blood count (CBC) at a reputable hospital, which typically shows a significant increase in white blood cell count and a decrease in hemoglobin levels. A peripheral blood smear can also be performed to observe the morphology of cells in the peripheral blood. A marked increase in the proportion of blast cells with immature morphology indicates a possible leukemia diagnosis.

3. Bone Marrow Aspiration:

If leukemia is suspected, a bone marrow aspiration can be performed to assess the presence of a large number of primitive or blast cells in the bone marrow. A significant increase in the proportion of these cells is often indicative of leukemia.

4. Other Indicators:

The coexistence of immune dysfunction, splenomegaly, lymphadenopathy, or hepatomegaly may also suggest leukemia in infants. Upon confirmation of leukemia, prompt medical treatment is necessary, complemented by radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and medications like Imatinib Mesylate Tablets, Nilotinib Capsules, and Dasatinib Tablets. The need for stem cell transplantation therapy will be determined based on individual circumstances.