It is more common among Caucasian children than those of other racial backgrounds, and it affects boys more often than girls. AML is seen in infants during the first month of life, but then it becomes relatively rare until the teenage years. In general, non-identical twins and other siblings of children with leukemia have two to four times the average risk of developing this illness. Children who have received prior radiation or chemotherapy for other types of cancer also have a higher risk for leukemia, usually within the first 8 years after treatment. In most cases, neither parents nor children have control over the factors that trigger leukemia, although current studies are investigating the possibility that environmental factors may predispose a child to develop the disease.
Most leukemias arise from non-inherited mutations in the genes of growing blood cells.
Since these errors occur randomly and unpredictably, there is currently no effective way to prevent most types of leukemia. Regular pediatric checkups can spot early symptoms of leukemia in the relatively rare cases where this cancer is linked to an inherited genetic problem, to prior cancer treatment, or to use of immunosuppressive drugs for organ transplants. Symptoms of Childhood Leukemia Because infection-fighting white blood cells are defective in children with leukemia, these children may experience increased episodes of fevers and infections. They may also become anemic since leukemia affects the bone marrow's production of oxygen-carrying red blood cells. This makes them appear pale and they may become abnormally tired and short of breath while playing.