The clinical presentation of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in children is varied and can range from mild to severe. Symptoms can appear suddenly or gradually over time. Common signs and symptoms include fatigue, weakness, fever, paleness, easy bruising or bleeding, frequent infections, enlarged lymph nodes, swollen abdomen, bone pain, and an enlarged spleen or liver.
In some cases, a child may present with anemia, which is a decrease in the number of red blood cells. This can lead to fatigue, shortness of breath, and an increased heart rate. Leukopenia is another common symptom, which is an abnormally low number of white blood cells. This can lead to frequent infections and an increased risk of infection.
Children may also experience a decrease in platelets, which are responsible for clotting. This can lead to easy bruising, increased bleeding, and petechiae, which are small red or purple spots on the skin.
In addition, AML in children can cause organ enlargement due to the buildup of leukemia cells in the body. The spleen and liver can become enlarged, and this can cause abdominal pain and a feeling of fullness.
Finally, AML can cause bone pain, which is caused by the infiltration of leukemia cells in the bone marrow. Bone pain can be described as a dull, aching pain or a sharp, stabbing pain. It can worsen with physical activity and may be worse at night.
Overall, the clinical presentation of AML in children is variable and can range from mild to severe. It is important to get medical attention if any of the above symptoms are present, as prompt diagnosis and treatment is key to successful treatment of AML.