Intellectual abilities among survivors of childhood leukaemia as a function of CNS irradiation. Issue 5 (May 1978)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Eiser, C
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 53:Issue 5(1978)
• Page Start: 391
• Page End: 395
• Publication Date: 1978-05
• Subjects: Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/adc.53.5.391
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Twenty-eight children in remission at least 2 years after completing chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia were assessed on standardised psychological tests. It was found that 7 who never had central nervous system (CNS) irradiation and 9 having prophylactic CNS irradiation at least 6 months after diagnosis tended to perform at average or above levels, while those 10 each having prophylactic CNS irradiation (within 2 months of diagnosis) were generally of lower ability. Within the latter group, 3 children showed serious intellectual impairments, while the group as a whole functioned especially poorly on quantitative tasks and those involving speeded performance with abstract material. General language ability was not affected. Practical and theoretical implantation are discussed.