Background: Paediatric acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) is heterogeneous. Frequency of cytogenetic abnormalities varies from adults. Methods: Children with de novo AML were included. Peripheral blood was analysed for complete blood counts and bone marrow was analysed by fluorescence in situ hybridisation for genetic abnormalities. Results: 53.6% patients had cytogenetic abnormalities. Recurrent genetic abnormalities were seen in 34.7%. Commonest recurrent genetic abnormality was RUNX1-RUNX1T1 rearrangement seen in 14.4%, followed by PML-RARA rearrangement seen in 8.6%, MLL gene rearrangement in 8.6% and CBFB-MYH11 rearrangement in 2.8% patients. In children aged more than five years, PML-RARA and RUNX1-RUNX1T1 were commonest whereas, in children aged five and less, RUNX1-RUNX1T1 and MLL rearrangements were the only recurrent genetic abnormalities. Patients with cytogenetic abnormalities differed significantly with respect to hemoglobin, total leucocyte count and platelet count. Conclusion: FISH alone can classify patients into AML with common recurrent genetic abnormalities. However, other methods are required for complete classification.