Can anemia in infants lead to leukemia?
May 12, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, infantile anemia does not directly cause leukemia. Anemia refers to a common syndrome in which the peripheral blood red cell volume is below the lower limit of the normal range. Infantile anemia is usually caused by nutritional deficiencies, such as iron deficiency, vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, and folate deficiency, although it can also be caused by genetic disorders or chronic diseases.
Generally speaking, anemia in babies does not directly cause leukemia. Detailed analysis is as follows:
Anemia refers to a common syndrome in which the peripheral blood red cell mass falls below the lower limit of the normal range. Anemia in babies is usually caused by nutritional deficiencies, such as iron deficiency, vitamin B₁₂ deficiency, and folic acid deficiency. It may also be caused by genetic diseases or chronic illnesses. These causes mainly affect the production, development, or excessive destruction of red blood cells, leading to a decrease in red blood cells or hemoglobin levels in the blood, thus causing symptoms such as pallor, fatigue, and loss of appetite.
Leukemia, on the other hand, is a malignant tumor of the hematopoietic system. Its pathogenesis is mainly related to genetic factors, gene mutations, environmental factors, and viral infections. It occurs when hematopoietic stem cells undergo malignant transformation, resulting in the proliferation of large numbers of abnormal leukemia cells in the bone marrow and other hematopoietic tissues, thereby suppressing normal hematopoietic function. Although both anemia and leukemia involve abnormalities of the blood system, they are two different diseases. Anemia itself does not directly transform into leukemia. However, severe anemia can affect a baby's physical development and immunity, making the baby more susceptible to various diseases and increasing the risk of other illnesses.
If a baby has anemia, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly to avoid delays in treatment.
