Naked Science Forum

Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: thedoc on 11/12/2012 19:05:09

Title: Can a newborn be born with leukeamia?
Post by: thedoc on 11/12/2012 19:05:09

A baby died at 3 months of age with acute leukaemia, but the doctor said the baby was born with it.  Could that be the case?
Asked by Pauline via text


                                        Visit the webpage for the podcast in which this question is answered. (http://www.thenakedscientists.com/HTML/podcasts/show/1000011/)

 

Title: Can a newborn be born with leukeamia?
Post by: thedoc on 11/12/2012 19:05:09

We answered this question on the show...

 Mark D. -   Yes, so what we now know is that many of the infantile leukaemias actually had their origins in utero. 
So, when we go and have a look at whenever any baby is born - and you would’ve seen this with your own kids - you have a heel ***** test and this is taken away to be tested for a number of common genetic diseases.  When you go back and have a look at these samples [from a leukaemia patient], for instance these chromosomal translocations, these abnormal fusion genes that drive leukaemia, are they present when the baby is actually born?  In a number of cases, the answer is yes.  So, this abnormal genetic event is not inherited, but for some reason, happens while the baby is in utero.