Sudden Unexpected Death in a Child From Acute Myeloid Leukemia

Area of Science:

• Forensic Pathology
• Pediatric Oncology

Background:

• Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a rare but recognized cause of sudden, unexpected death in children.
• Clinical presentation can be nonspecific, making diagnosis challenging, especially in previously healthy individuals.

Observation:

• A case of a previously healthy 2-year-old girl presenting with sudden death is detailed.
• Autopsy revealed extensive acute myeloid leukemia with KMT2A rearrangement involving thoracic and abdominal organs.

Findings:

• The autopsy confirmed widespread leukemic infiltration as the cause of death.
• KMT2A rearrangement was identified in the leukemic cells.

Implications:

• This case underscores the necessity of considering acute leukemia in the differential diagnosis of sudden, unexplained deaths in children.
• Highlights the role of postmortem examination in identifying occult malignancies and guiding forensic conclusions.