What are the early symptoms and warning signs of leukemia in infants?

Generally, early symptoms and signs of leukemia in infants are often related to blood, immunity, and overall physical condition. These mainly include pale complexion and fatigue, recurring fever, skin and mucous membrane bleeding, swollen lymph nodes, and bone or joint pain. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Pale complexion and fatigue: When an infant's blood-producing function is affected and red blood cell production decreases, the infant may appear pale in the face, lips, and eyelids. The infant may also display poor精神状态 (mental state), often表现为嗜睡、不爱活动 (manifesting as excessive sleepiness, reduced activity), easily fatigued during breastfeeding or play, and weak limbs when held.

2. Recurring fever: Leukemia may cause a weakened immune system in infants, making them more susceptible to infections that trigger fever. The fever often recurs, with body temperature fluctuating around 38°C. Some infants may develop persistent high fever. Common fever-reducing medications may show limited effectiveness, or the fever may return shortly after subsiding.

3. Skin and mucous membrane bleeding: Reduced platelet production affects blood clotting function. Infants may develop pinpoint-sized bleeding spots on the skin, commonly found on the limbs and trunk, which do not fade when pressed. Symptoms may also include gum bleeding, nosebleeds, easy gum oozing during feeding or crying, and frequent, hard-to-stop nosebleeds.

4. Swollen lymph nodes: Lymph nodes in areas such as the neck, armpits, and groin may painlessly swell. The swollen lymph nodes may feel soft or slightly firm, and can be moved. Initially, they may be about the size of soybeans and gradually increase in size and number. Some infants may experience symptoms such as shortness of breath and coughing due to swelling of lymph nodes in the mediastinum.

5. Bone and joint pain: Leukemia cells infiltrating bones and joints can cause infants to experience unexplained bone and joint pain, often manifested as limb pain and joint swelling. Infants may suddenly cry continuously, refuse to move limbs, or cry when being held or having their diapers changed due to pain upon touching affected areas.

Parents should closely monitor their infant's condition in daily life. If the above symptoms appear and persist without improvement, timely medical evaluation is necessary. Preventive measures should also be taken to protect the infant from harmful substances, maintain balanced nutrition, enhance the infant's immunity, and reduce the risk of infections.