Chronic granulocytic leukemia in children

Over a period of four years, we observed 12 cases of chronic granulocytic leukemia in the pediatric age group. Eight of them were of the adult type and differed from that in adults in only their age at presentation and presence of greater degree of anemia. The remaining four cases were of the juvenile type, all below four years of age, were Ph' negative, had normal leukocyte alkaline phosphatase (LAP) score, raised fetal hemoglobin and a strong monocytic component. In one case heterophil antibodies using the Paul Bunnell test were positive, indicating an EBV infection. The incidence of juvenile CGL in our experience was 2·6% of all childhood leukemias. The relevance of the monocytic component and the association of EBV infection with juvenile CGL is discussed.