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CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 · Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol 2009; 30(01): 14-19
DOI: 10.4103/0971-5851.56330
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Cognitive assessment of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia: Preliminary findings

Anna Abraham
Clinical Psychology Unit, Kidwai Memorial, Institute of Oncology (KMIO), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
,
L Appaji
Department of Paediatric Oncology, Kidwai Memorial, Institute of Oncology (KMIO), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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Abstract

Aim:The objective of this study was to assess the cognitive functions of Indian children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), periodically after initiation of treatment since prospective longitudinal research in this area on the Indian population has not been adequately documented. Unlike many western studies that have targeted survivors of ALL, we aimed to bring out the cognitive outcome after initiation of treatment.Materials and Methods:The cognitive functions of 19 patients diagnosed to have ALL were assessed using standardized tests after induction chemotherapy, and periodically thereafter following the second course of treatment comprising central nervous system-directed radiotherapy, and chemotherapy using intrathecal methotrexate.Results:The study found a statistically significant decline in the intelligence quotient and a deficit in the cognitive function of analytical reasoning.Conclusion:This preliminary study supports findings of an earlier Indian study and many studies conducted in the west. Since the life expectancy of these children has increased and most of them have long-term survival, and even cure, we suggest that identifying and managing children with cognitive difficulties are important in the rehabilitation of these children.

Keywords

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia - children - cognitive functions


Publication History

Article published online:
19 November 2021

© 2009. Indian Society of Medical and Paediatric Oncology. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonDerivative-NonCommercial-License, permitting copying and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes, or adapted, remixed, transformed or built upon. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/.)

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