Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) constitutes 1-16% of hematological malignancies in the childhood period, and is more frequently seen between two and four years of age. It is very difficult to diagnose childhood MDS. However, there has been an increasing number of reports during the last decades on childhood MDS because of the better recognition of the disease. We present a case to draw attention to the difficulty in diagnosing MDS in early childhood. An 18-month-old girl presented with fever, hepatosplenomegaly, lymphadenopathy and pancytopenia. In addition to history and physical examination a battery of laboratory tests, including microbiological, biochemical, immunological, radiological, and metabolic studies failed to assist in diagnosis. MDS was diagnosed on third bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. The patient was lost before the initiation of chemotherapy.

Keywords: Miyelodisplastik sendrom, çocukluk çağı, tanı, myelodysplastic syndrome, childhood, diagnosis