A case of fetal leukemia with intracranial hemorrhage and early-onset jaundice: Fetal leukemia with intracranial hemorrhage and jaundice

Analysis of 59 cases of congenital leukemia reported between 2001 and 2016

Congenital leukemia (CL), defined as manifestations of leukemia within the first 4 weeks of life, is a rare condition with an estimated incidence of only 1 to 5 per million live births. Despite extensive research and the clinical application of new therapies, the prognosis of CL remains poor. Few large-scale studies have investigated the factors affecting the outcomes of infants with CL. Here, we conducted a retrospective study and analysis of CL cases published in the English language from 1 January 2001 to 1 May 2016. Our goal was to provide updated information about this rare disease and to investigate factors that may affect the outcomes of patients with CL.

Congenital Acute Myeloid Leukemia with Unique Translocation t(11;19)(q23;p13.3)

Congenital leukemia is rarely encountered in clinical practice, even in tertiary children's hospitals. Leukemia may cause significant coagulopathy, putting the patient at risk of intracranial hemorrhage. In this case, the authors present a female infant with a unique mixed phenotypic congenital acute myeloid leukemia showing mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) rearrangement and severe coagulopathy resulting in a large subdural hematoma. Despite the fatal outcome in this case, neurosurgical treatment of patients with acute myeloid leukemia should be considered if coagulopathy and the clinical scenario allow.

Phoma and Acremonium invasive fungal rhinosinusitis in congenital acute lymphocytic leukemia and literature review

OBJECTIVE

Invasive rhinocerebral fungal infections are a difficult and often fatal problem in children with hematologic malignancies, with increasing reports of rare pathogens. We describe a case of congenital acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and invasive fungal rhinosinusitis involving Acremonium and Phoma species, not previously reported in invasive pediatric fungal rhinosinusitis, and review all published cases of human Phoma infections.

METHODS

A literature and institutional review for Phoma spp. was completed including patient demographics, infection site, immune status, treatment and outcome.

RESULTS

A female neonate with acute lymphoblastic leukemia presented with hyperleukocytosis and advanced invasive Phoma and Acremonium spp. rhinosinusitis. Despite aggressive medical and surgical therapy, the disease progressed to a rhinocerebral infection with a fatal outcome. Twenty cases of Phoma spp. were found in a complete literature search, including 6 females and 14 males from 18 months to 77 years old. Infections were superficial in fifteen patients and involved deeper tissue in five patients, with sites including cutaneous, subcutaneous and deep tissue sites (eye, lung, extremity deep tissue compartments).

CONCLUSIONS

This case highlights the risks and grave prognosis of fulminant invasive fungal rhinosinusitis in the context of congenital leukemia, and the potential for rare fungal species in neonates with immunosuppression.