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Updated: May 12, 2026
Comprehensive Protocol to Sample and Process Bone Marrow for Measuring Measurable Residual Disease and Leukemic Stem Cells in Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Published on: March 5, 2018
Bone marrow evaluation for pediatric patients
1Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA. mproytcheva@pathology.arizona.edu
Insights
Bone marrow composition in infants differs from adults due to developmental factors. Understanding these age-related changes is crucial for accurate pediatric hematopathology diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Pediatrics
- Pathology
Background:
- The hematopoietic system undergoes significant development from birth through infancy.
- Bone marrow composition varies with age due to evolving oxygenation and immune needs.
- Existing hematopathology literature inadequately addresses age-specific bone marrow differences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review bone marrow ontology and composition in neonates and infants.
- To compare pediatric bone marrow findings with adult counterparts.
- To highlight the limitations in current literature regarding pediatric bone marrow.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of bone marrow composition across different age groups.
- Comparative analysis of cellularity, stromal components, and hematopoietic lineages.
- Synthesis of findings to establish age-specific reference points.
Main Results:
- Significant differences exist in bone marrow cellularity and cellular composition between newborns, infants, and adults.
- Specific hematopoietic stem cell niches and microenvironments show distinct developmental trajectories.
- These variations impact the interpretation of bone marrow morphology and cellularity.
Conclusions:
- Age-related changes in bone marrow are substantial and require specific consideration in pediatric hematopathology.
- A comprehensive understanding of infant bone marrow is essential for accurate diagnosis and monitoring.
- This review provides a framework for improved pediatric bone marrow examination.
Abstract:
Due to the immaturity of the hematopoietic system at birth and different oxygenation and immune response needs of the growing organism, the bone marrow composition at birth and early infancy differs as compared to older children and adults. These age-related differences, while generally recognized, are not well known to the world of hematopathology. The purpose of this article is to address the current limitation of the literature by reviewing the bone marrow ontology, its composition at birth, and the changes occurring during early infancy, and to compare these findings to adults. The review also provides a useful framework for bone marrow examination in children.
