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World Blood Cancer Day 2021: Risk Factors for Leukemia in Children

Leukemia or cancer of the blood cells is the most common form of cancer in childhood. On World Blood Cancer Day 2021, let's learn about the factors that can up the risk of developing leukemia in children.

Written by Longjam Dineshwori | Updated : May 28, 2021 11:07 AM IST

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Leukemia In Children

Leukemia is estimated to account for almost 1 out of 3 cancers in children and teens. It is a cancer that develops in the bone marrow. In this cancer, the bone marrow begins to make faulty white blood cells, but the reason remains unknown. The white blood cells help fight infection, but in leukemia, the abnormal white cells do not fight infection well. They faulty cells reproduce very quickly and crowd the bone marrow, thus reducing the production of red blood cells or platelets. While the red blood cells carry oxygen to different parts of the body, platelets help with blood clotting to stop bleeding. Common symptoms of leukemia include tiredness, problems with infections and bruising or bleeding and bone pain. On this occasion of World Blood Cancer Day, have listed the factors that are liked to increased risk for 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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Drinking Alcohol During Pregnancy

Blood Cancer In Children, World Blood Cancer Day