Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) can cause a variety of signs and symptoms in children. Children may exhibit a general decline in well-being, including:

• Weight loss
• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Weakness

Other signs and symptoms may develop from the reduction of normal red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets caused by the disease. Anemia (an abnormally low amount of red blood cells) can trigger a variety of signs and symptoms including pale skin, fatigue and shortness of breath.

Children with ALL usually have a high white blood cell count. However, these white blood cells do not function normally and do not provide adequate protection against infection. As a result, infection or chronic illness may be a sign of the disease.

Another condition that may result from ALL is thrombocytopenia, which is an abnormally low number of platelets. This condition can lower the body's ability to repair holes in damaged blood vessels and can cause excessive bleeding. Symptoms can include frequent or severe nosebleeds, bleeding gums or excessive bruising. It also may cause petechiae (pinpoint spots of blood under the skin).

ALL can also cause enlargement of the spleen (splenomegaly) and liver (hepatomegaly). Enlargement of these organs can result in a fullness or swelling of the abdomen.

Spread of ALL outside of the bone marrow to the organs, central nervous system, or other parts of the body can result in a variety of signs and symptoms depending on the area affected.

Signs and symptoms of ALL spreading to the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) include:

• Headaches
• Weakness
• Seizures
• Vomiting
• Difficulty maintaining balance
• Blurred vision
• Poor performance in school

Spread of ALL to the surface of the bone or into the joint can cause bone pain or joint pain. If the disease spreads to the lymph nodes, it may result in enlarged lymph nodes (swollen glands), particularly in the neck or armpit.

A variety of symptoms may occur when leukemia affects the thymus, a gland in the upper chest that is part of the immune system. An enlarged thymus may press on the neighboring windpipe and cause shortness of breath, coughing, or in severe cases, suffocation.

Compression of the superior vena cava (a large vein that returns blood to the right atrium of the heart from the upper half of the body) by leukemia cells can result in a condition known as SVC syndrome. A life-threatening condition, SVC can result in swelling of the head and arms.

Early symptoms of ALL may be overlooked because they may resemble symptoms of more common illnesses, such as influenza. Parents are encouraged to contact their child’s physician when they experience any symptom of ALL. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the earlier treatment may begin.