Predictors of Early Death in Childhood Acute Promyelocytic Leukemia: Results of an International Retrospective Study

Abstract Background: Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a rare subtype of childhood acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Bleeding complications occur in 80% of patients at diagnosis and contribute to a higher incidence of early death (ED) in APL compared to other AML subtypes. However, estimates of ED in pediatric APL are imprecise and factors associated with ED in children with APL are unknown. Objectives: To determine the incidence and predictors of ED, defined as death within 60 days from presentation, in childhood APL. Methods: We conducted a retrospective international analysis of children diagnosed with APL between January 1993 and December 2013. The study included 236 patients from the I…