Beware of The Risk Factors for Blood Cancer In Children

Childhood leukemias may be caused by DNA mutations that can be inherited from a parent or they may happen randomly during a person's lifetime. Below are five factors that are linked to increased risk of developing leukemia in children.

By Longjam Dineshwori Last updated on: April 8, 2021 8:01 am

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Childhood cancer

Leukemia, a cancer of the blood, is the most common form of cancer in childhood. As per estimates, it accounts for almost 1 out of 3 cancers in children. Most childhood leukemias are acute (fast growing). About 3 out of 4 childhood leukemias are acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), which starts in early forms of white blood cells called lymphocytes. Most of the remaining cases of childhood leukemia are acute myeloid leukemia (AML), which starts from the myeloid cells that normally form white blood cells (other than lymphocytes), red blood cells, or platelets. Childhood leukemias may be caused by DNA mutations that can be inherited from a parent or they may happen randomly during a person’s lifetime. Some studies also suggest that childhood leukemias may be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Below are five factors that are linked to increased risk of developing leukemia in children:

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Down syndrome

The risk of leukemia is much higher than expected in children with Down syndrome, according to a new study published in The Journal of Pediatrics. It found that 2.8 per cent of children with Down syndrome were diagnosed with leukemia, compared to 0.05 per cent of other children. ALL was more common in children with Down syndrome who are between ages 2-4 years, while AML was more common in the first year of life.

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