What are the early signs and symptoms of leukemia in children?

Leukemia is a malignant clonal disease originating from hematopoietic stem cells. Its complex pathogenesis is associated with multiple factors, including biological, physical, and chemical exposures, genetic predispositions, and other blood disorders. Early signs of childhood leukemia may include a range of symptoms that can resemble those of other illnesses. However, if these symptoms persist or worsen, parents should pay close attention and seek medical evaluation. Common early warning signs include persistent fatigue and weakness, frequent infections, fever, unexplained weight loss, night sweats, pale skin, easy bleeding or bruising, swollen lymph nodes, and bone or joint pain. These symptoms may result from the effects of leukemia cells—for example, the proliferation of abnormal white blood cells can suppress the production of normal blood cells, and leukemia cells may infiltrate tissues beyond the bone marrow. Additionally, leukemia can impair immune system function, increasing susceptibility to infections.