What to know about acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in children

The marrow normally makes red cells, platelets and infection-fighting white cells. Crowding by lymphoblasts can therefore cause tiredness or paleness, easy bruising or bleeding, frequent infections, fever, bone or joint pain and swollen glands. These symptoms have many possible causes, so they do not by themselves establish leukaemia. Assessment may include blood tests, examination and a bone marrow sample arranged by a specialist.

Keep appointments with the paediatric oncology team and share a complete list of medicines, supplements, allergies and recent infections. Follow instructions about temperature checks, hand hygiene, food safety and activity. Treatment commonly uses phases of chemotherapy, with the plan tailored to the child's leukaemia features and response. Ask the team how to manage school, vaccines, nutrition, pain and emotional support.

During evaluation or treatment, contact the oncology team urgently for fever, chills, unusual sleepiness, breathing difficulty, persistent vomiting, severe pain, bleeding that does not stop or a child who is difficult to wake. Follow the team's fever instructions rather than waiting for symptoms to settle, because reduced infection-fighting cells can make illness progress quickly.

Ask which tests confirm the diagnosis, what the treatment phases involve, how infection and treatment side effects will be monitored, when to call day or night, and how the care plan affects school and family routines.