Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Presenting With Initial Hyperbilirubinemia and Significantly Elevated Liver Transaminases: A Rare Pediatric Case With Unadjusted Chemotherapy.

Abstract

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) rarely presents with initial liver failure. We describe a 9-year-old boy with no past medical history who presented with jaundice, hyperbilirubinemia (total bilirubin 13.1 mg/dL), and significantly elevated transaminases (ALT 1283 U/L, AST 1325 U/L). Bone marrow aspiration confirmed precursor B-cell ALL. Despite severe hepatic dysfunction, full-dose induction chemotherapy was administered following corticosteroid therapy, leading to rapid improvement in liver function and normalization by day 29. No complications were observed, and at the end of induction, minimal residual disease was 0.001%. This case of successful unadjusted chemotherapy, with leukemic infiltration identified as the etiology of hepatitis, underscores the importance of early diagnosis, multidisciplinary management, close monitoring, and highlights the need for further investigation into safe treatment protocols in such cases.