1st April 2022

A 5-year-old child with Down syndrome presents with fatigue, dyspnoea, a petechial rash and weight loss

A 5-year-old child with Down syndrome presents with fatigue, dyspnoea, a petechial rash and weight loss, over the last two weeks.

On examination, you can palpate multiple painless widespread enlarged lymph nodes as well as an enlarged liver and spleen. Blood tests show a massive leucocytosis, and blood film confirms more than 20% blast cells.

What is the current mainstay of treatment of this condition, acutely?

Select the SINGLE most appropriate option from the list below. Select ONE option only.