ABSTRACT
Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) is much rarer in children than in adults and most of the literature on MDS is based upon studies in elderly patients; however, there are significant differences between MDS in children and adults (Table 1). The morphologic features and cytogenetic findings at diagnosis differ significantly between children and adults. Many children have associated abnormalities, that is, preexisting bone marrow (BM) failure or congenital abnormalities. The therapeutic aim in children with MDS is primarily a cure whereas this possibility is often not realistic in adults. The rarity of MDS in children and the lack of an overall accepted classification have contributed to the paucity of MDS in the pediatric literature. However, an increasing number of larger series on childhood MDS patients have been published over the last decade (1-10).
