8 Common Signs of Child Leukemia

How can you identify whether your child has leukemia? Here are some common warning signs of child leukemia that you should be aware.

1. Infection
Normally child leukemia will cause high fever and it will not react to antibiotic. It is generally caused by a lack of white blood cells, specifically mature granuloctyes. While it produces high white blood cell count and these cells do not preserve against infection.

2. Abnormal bruising and bleeding
Child leukemia will reduce the production of blood platelets and will also cause bruises; the kid will some time bleed more than normal even from a small cut. In some cases, the child may also experience from recurrent nosebleeds.

3. Bone pain and joint pain
Bone pain and joint pain are the most common symptoms of child leukemia. Both bone pain and joint pain are due to the deposition of leukemic cells under the layer of the bone surface.

4. Swelling of the abdominal region
Child leukemia usually causes enlargement of the liver and swelling of the liver can normally be recognized as the stomach of the child will always in fullness condition.

5. Swollen lymph nodes
Child leukemia will also influence the lymph nodes, and swollen lymph nodes are easily recognized near the body surface of the child. Tests such as MRI scan and CT scan are able to detect the swollen lymph nodes within the abdomen or chest.

6. Enlargement of the thymus
Swelling of thymus or lymph nodes inside the chest of the child can tighten the nearby windpipe. This will cause the child to have difficulty in breathing, coughing and suffocation.

7. Vomiting and headache
Spreading of the leukemic cells outside of bone marrow is called extramedullary spread. It can spread to the central nervous system, lungs, ovaries, testicles, heart, kidneys, and intestines.

8. Extreme fatigue and weakness
Leukemic cells can extend to the gums and causes pain and bleeding. When leukemia spreads to the skin, it can lead to dark colored spots.

If AML is detected under the skin or other body parts, the condition may be called granulocytic sarcoma. Children with AML may feel extreme fatigue, slurring of speech and weakness.