Clostridium septicum infection in childhood leukemia: report of a case and review of the literature.

Overwhelming Clostridium septicum infection is a rare occurrence in children. It is seen almost exclusively as a complication of acute leukemia. A high index of suspicion in the leukemic child with an acute abdomen is the key to early diagnosis and improved survival. A case in a 13-year-old girl with acute myelogenous leukemia is reported and six pediatric cases in the literature were reviewed.