Introduction: Pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is the second most common type of pediatric leukemia. Patients with AML are at high risk for several complications such as infections, typhlitis, and acute and long-term cardiotoxicity. Despite this knowledge, there are no definite supportive care guidelines as to what the best approach is to manage or prevent these complications.
Area covered: The NOPHO-DB-SHIP (Nordic-Dutch-Belgian-Spain-Hong-Kong-Israel-Portugal) consortium, in preparation for a new trial in pediatric AML patients, had dedicated meetings for supportive care. In this review, the authors discuss the available data and outline recommendations for the management of children and adolescents with AML with an emphasis on hyperleukocytosis, tumor lysis syndrome, coagulation abnormalities and bleeding, infection, typhlitis, malnutrition, cardiotoxicity, and fertility preservation.
Expert opinion: Improved supportive care has significantly contributed to increased cure rates. Recommendations on supportive care are an essential part of treatment for this highly susceptible population and will further improve their outcome.
Keywords: Acute myeloid leukemia; cardiotoxicity; children; coagulation; hyperleukocytosis; infection; supportive care; tumor lysis syndrome; typhlitis.