The National Cancer Institute reports that 3,250 new cases of leukemia are diagnosed in children each year. According to a 1995 study in "Cancer," the peak incidence of acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), the most common form of childhood leukemia, is between two and five years of age. The diagnosis of leukemia can sometimes be difficult because many of the symptoms are nonspecific and mimic symptoms of other less serious medical conditions that occur commonly in children.
Fever
Fever is extremely common in children and most of the time, it is not an indication of a serious condition like leukemia. A December 2009 research article in "Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice" reveals that 30 percent of medical office visits with children are due to fever and that 50 percent of all after-hours calls received by pediatric medical offices are due to the symptom of fever. It can be hard to tell the difference between a fever caused by a routine childhood virus and a fever caused by something more serious like leukemia. In general, red flags begin to be raised when a fewer higher than 100.4 has been present for longer than five days, especially if there is no obvious source of infection found on a physical exam. Children with leukemia develop prolonged fevers because their infection-fighting cells don't function well.
Fatigue
Because the bone marrow is invaded by leukemia cells, children with leukemia often suffer from severe anemia. This will cause children to be tired all of the time.
Pallor
Pallor describes paleness of the skin due to anemia. The lining of the eyes, nose and mouth can also become pale in a child with anemia. Parents of children with leukemia often describe that their children look "sickly" and pale.
Weight loss
Children with leukemia develop a poor appetite. This, in combination with the fact that leukemia cells burn up more of the body's calories and energy, can cause unexplained weight loss in children.
Easy bruising and bleeding
Platelets, the cells normally responsible for blood-clotting, become low in children with leukemia because of problems in the bone marrow. When this happens, children will tend to bruise and bleed more easily and for longer periods of time with simple things like bumps, cuts and scrapes. Children may also suffer from an increase in nose bleeds and bleeding gums with teeth brushing.
Swollen lymph nodes
Swollen lymph nodes, often referred to as swollen glands, appear as lumps in the neck, armpits or groin. Lymph nodes can swell due to simple childhood illnesses like the flu or a cold, so it can be hard to know when to worry. If enlarged lymph nodes don't go away within a few weeks, or if the lymph nodes stay swollen even after the flu or cold symptoms are gone, they should be checked by a doctor.
Bone pain
Bone pain in the arms, legs and back may occur in children with leukemia due to the bone marrow expanding with leukemia cells. Usually the pain is severe enough to awaken a child from sleep and unlike growing pains, it worsens over time.
References
- National Cancer Institute: SEER Pediatric Monograph
- "Cancer"; Incidence of Cancer in Children in the U.S. Sex-, Race-, and 1-year Age-specific Rates by Histologic Type; Gurney JG; April 1995
- "Primary Care: Clinics in Office Practice"; Diagnosis of Childhood Cancer; Raab C, Gartner J; December 2009
