Neonatal Acute Myeloid Leukemia in an Infant Whose Mother Was Exposed to Diethylstilboestrol In Utero

We report on ail acute myeloid leukemia in a neonate whose mother was exposed to diethylstilboestrol in utero. The newborn presented with leukemia cutis, hemorrhagic skin lesions, hyperleucocytosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. A bone marrow examination confirmed the diagnosis of acute monocytic leukemia with a t(11; 19) MLL-ELL fusion transcript. Chemotherapy was initiated but the child developed a bilateral pulmonary infection that led to fatal respiratory distress. This case shows acute myeloid leukemia and the third pediatric leukemia reported after maternal diethylstilboestrol exposure. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;53:220-222. (C) 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.