HYDROPS-FETALIS AND NEONATAL LEUKEMIA IN DOWN-SYNDROME

Four newborn infants with Down syndrome and manifestations of neonatal leukemia are described. One of the four was stillborn, two died short ly after birth, and a fourth survived and all evidence of leukemia dis appeared in the first month of life. Three of the four cases had hydro ps fetalis, and a fourth was a macerated stillborn. Nine other similar reported cases are reviewed. We conclude that neonatal leukemia in Do wn syndrome is a form of leukemia that is usually transient, with spon taneous recovery, but may be fatal at or around the time of birth with manifestations of hydrops fetalis, hepatosplenomegaly, and/or progres sive liver disease.