Children with Down Syndrome and Leukemia in Kuwait-Experience of the only Pediatric Hematology Oncology Department in Kuwait

Abstract

Children with Down syndrome (DS) are at a greater risk of developing leukemia. The aim of this study is to shed light on children with Down syndrome who develop leukemia; the complications and risks they face may lead to their morbidity and mortality. This is a retrospective study of 34 children with Down syndrome who were diagnosed with leukemia at NBK Children's Hospital in Kuwait from 2001-2016. There were 19 patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and 15 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Most patients completed chemotherapy and went into remission after the initial induction, despite suffering from many expected complications during the course of treatment. Twenty six patients remained cancer free up till now. Mortality was attributed to sepsis or pneumonia. Children with Down syndrome who were diagnosed with ALL carried worse prognosis than children with Down syndrome who were diagnosed with AML, and those with additional medical problems are at more risk of complications and death.