Christine Mrakotsky|Lewis B. Silverman|Suzanne E. Dahlberg|M. Cheryl A. Alyman|Stephen A. Sands|Jennifer Queally|Tamara P. Miller|Amy Cranston|Donna Neuberg|Stephen E. Sallan|Deborah P. Waber
Neurobehavioral side effects of corticosteroids during active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children are age-dependent: Report from Dana-Farber Cancer Institute ALL Consortium Protocol 00-01
Boston Children's Hospital|Harvard University|Harvard University|Boston Children's Hospital|Dana-Farber Cancer Institute|Dana-Farber Cancer Institute|McMaster University Medical Centre|Columbia University|Boston Children's Hospital|Harvard University|Children's Hospital of Philadelphia|McMaster University Medical Centre|Dana-Farber Cancer Institute|Harvard University|Boston Children's Hospital|Dana-Farber Cancer Institute|Boston Children's Hospital|Harvard University
abstract background although corticosteroids remain mainstay treatment acute lymphoblastic leukemia cause troublesome neurobehavioral changes active treatment especially young children evaluated acute neurobehavioral side effects corticosteroid therapy preschool versus schoolage children obtaining structured reports weekly 1 month procedure parents 62 children 217 years treated danafarber cancer institute dfci consortium protocol 0001 participated continuation phase treatment patients received cyclical twicedaily 5day courses prednisone pred 40 mgm 2 day dexamethasone dex 6 mgm 2 day parents completed behavior rating scales child weekly one steroid cycle baseline day 0 active steroid day 7 poststeroid days 14 21 results behavioral side effects increased significantly p lt 0001 steroid week preschool children lt6 years measures emotional control mood behavior regulation executive functions returning baseline two offsteroid weeks contrast schoolage children 6 years demonstrate increase side effects steroid week steroid type pred vs dex significant predictor neurobehavioral side effects conclusions preschool children greater risk neurobehavioral side effects active steroid treatment schoolage children adolescents dex associated neurobehavioral side effects pred counseling families sideeffects adapted according age observed effects moreover transient reducing concerns longerterm neurobehavioral toxicities pediatr blood cancer 2011 57 492498 2011 wileyliss inc