Pediatric myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is a disorder that prevents bone marrow from producing healthy blood cells. It’s the stem cells in the bone marrow responsible for creating healthy cells that normally flow through the bloodstream, including oxygen-carrying red cells, infection-fighting white cells, and blood-clotting platelets. Kids with MDS lack these beneficial cells. The condition is rare, affecting approximately one in a million children annually.  If your child was diagnosed by a doctor, this information may help you feel more informed.

What Causes Pediatric MDS?

Two types of pediatric MDS exist. The first, known as primary MDS, can occur in healthy children without reason. Another type, secondary MDS, occurs as the result of another condition. For example, a child who had cancer and was treated with chemotherapy or radiation may develop MDS as a result of those treatments. Familial MDS offers a rare but possible genetic link that occurs when both MDS and leukemia occur in a family.

What Are the Symptoms?

During the early stages of MDS, you may not think to take your child to the doctor because the symptoms are not obvious. Usually, the first indication is a blood test result indicating lower than average blood cell levels. Eventually your child may develop symptoms of anemia, such as weakness, pale skin, shortness of breath, and dizziness. 

They may also bruise easily and experience unexplained weight loss. Because the count of white blood cells responsible for combating infections is low, kids with MDS may be more vulnerable to developing infections. These can be repetitive, and may cause frequent fevers.

How Is Pediatric MDS Treated? 

The treatment plan depends on a few factors, including age, medical history, and MDS type. The first step is typically to treat the symptoms, such as giving infusions to relieve some of the symptoms of anemia. Antibiotics may be administered to children experiencing frequent fevers due to infection. Generally, pediatric MDS is only curable if the patient receives a hematopoietic stem cell transplant. This is a type of bone marrow transplant that relies on either radiation or chemotherapy to kill off both the unhealthy and healthy bone marrow cells. Then, healthy cells from someone else are infused into the patient. Prognosis depends on a variety of factors, including the severity and type of MDS.
 

If you seek a reliable doctor to treat your child, visit Taylor Regional Hospital in Campbellsville, KY. Patients trust in these highly qualified physicians to provide exceptional quality of care, whether they require urgent help in the emergency room or would like to arrange for an annual physical. Visit the website to find out more about their services, or call (270) 465-3561 to schedule an appointment.