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Intelligence and adaptive function in children diagnosed with brain tumour during infancy
Robyn Stargatt1, Jeffrey V Rosenfeld, Vicki Anderson
1Department of Psychology, Murdoch Childrens' Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Vic, Australia. robyn.stargatt@rch.org.au
Journal of Neuro-Oncology
|June 30, 2006
Summary
Children diagnosed with brain tumors in infancy experience developmental delays. By school age, these children show further cognitive and adaptive function decline, highlighting the need for early developmental assessment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Neurodevelopmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Brain tumors in infancy pose significant concerns for long-term developmental outcomes.
- Assessing infant development before treatment is challenging, limiting understanding of tumor impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the developmental trajectory of infants with brain tumors.
- To evaluate cognitive and adaptive functioning at school entry.
Main Methods:
- Psychological evaluations were conducted at diagnosis and during the fifth/sixth year of life.
- Follow-up assessments focused on cognitive and adaptive skills for school readiness.
Main Results:
- Infants with brain tumors exhibited initial adaptive function delays.
- By school age, further deficits in cognitive, academic, and adaptive skills were observed.
- Tumor location (supratentorial), younger age at diagnosis, and longer follow-up time correlated with greater deficits.
Conclusions:
- Brain tumors in infancy are associated with poor developmental progress from diagnosis.
- Significant developmental compromise persists and progresses by school age.
- Future research must consider baseline developmental status in treatment protocols for infant brain tumors.