The risk factors for developing CAYA acute leukaemia include the following.

Genetic predisposition

Some genetic disorders may increase the likelihood of developing CAYA acute leukaemia. These include, but are not limited to, Down syndrome, neurofibromatosis type-1, ataxia telangiectasia, inherited bone marrow failure syndromes and, rarely, inherited cancer predisposition syndromes (D’Orazio et al. 2010; Eden et al. 2010). Most cases of CAYA acute leukaemia do not have a genetic predisposition identified.

Siblings

Although the risk is still extremely low, siblings of CAYA acute leukaemia patients have a slightly increased risk of developing leukaemia compared with the general population.

Environmental factors

There is no evidence to suggest environmental factors contribute to CAYA acute leukaemia. CAYA patients who have been treated with certain chemotherapy agents for another cancer may be at a marginally increased risk of developing a secondary leukaemia, particularly treatment-related AML.