Revelation of an acute lymphoblastic leukemia in the delivery room

• Published in: Archives de pédiatrie : organe officiel de la Société française de pédiatrie Vol. 14; no. 7; pp. 887 - 889
• Main Authors: Jacquot, A, Bernard, F, Dupont, M, Taviaux, S, Guyot, D, Plan, O, Badr, M, Montoya, F, Cambonie, G, Picaud, J-C
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: French
• Published: France Elsevier 01-07-2007
• Subjects: Delivery Rooms; Fatal Outcome; Genetics; Human genetics; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Life Sciences; Male; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma - diagnosis
• ISSN: 0929-693X; 1769-664X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.arcped.2007.03.016

Acute leukemia is uncommon in neonates and has a much poorer prognosis than in older children. We report on a case of acute lymphoblastic leukemia observed in a neonate who had bleeding and hepatosplenomegaly at birth, which justified intensive care during the first postnatal week. Despite early appropriate treatment, the patient died at 7 months of age. We present here physical and laboratory findings, which indicate a grim prognosis. These criteria should be considered carefully in order to ensure a realistic information for the parents and appropriate decisions.