In this exploratory study on the expression of miR-196b in newly diagnosed pediatric AML in China, we found that miR-196b expression was significantly higher in M4/5 (FAB classification) AML, and strongly linked to initial high WBC, early treatment response, unfavorable chromosome karyotype (11q23), and molecular abnormalities (FLT3-ITD mutation), as well as inferior clinical outcome (OS). This evidence concerns the gene FLT3 and acute myeloid leukemia.