Which statement accurately reflects the risk profile for leukemia in children with Down syndrome?

Which statement accurately reflects the risk profile for leukemia in children with Down syndrome?

• A. Leukemia risk is lower than in the general population
• B. Leukemia risk is roughly the same as in the general population
• C. Leukemia risk is markedly higher than in the general population
• D. Leukemia risk is related to age only and not to Down syndrome status

Answer: (C)

Down syndrome markedly increases the risk of leukemia compared with children without Down syndrome, especially in early childhood. This elevated risk reflects genetic and hematopoietic changes linked to trisomy 21, including a higher incidence of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia and a related early-life condition known as transient myeloproliferative disorder that can precede ML-DS. Because of these DS-related factors, leukemia risk is not the same as in the general population and is not determined by age alone; the status of having Down syndrome drives the heightened risk.

Down syndrome markedly increases the risk of leukemia compared with children without Down syndrome, especially in early childhood. This elevated risk reflects genetic and hematopoietic changes linked to trisomy 21, including a higher incidence of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia and a related early-life condition known as transient myeloproliferative disorder that can precede ML-DS. Because of these DS-related factors, leukemia risk is not the same as in the general population and is not determined by age alone; the status of having Down syndrome drives the heightened risk.