Neurocognitive outcomes in pediatric hematological cancer survivors post-HSCT: A systematic review

Pediatric hematological cancer survivors who undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) may experience long-term neurocognitive impairments. This systematic review aims to assess the neurocognitive outcomes in pediatric hematological cancer survivors at least 5 years post-HSCT.

A comprehensive search was conducted in multiple databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov, until October 2022. Relevant studies assessing the neurocognitive affect after 5 years of HSCT were identified and included in the review. The quality of included studies was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool to evaluate the risk of bias.

A total of five studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. The studies consistently demonstrated adverse effects of HSCT on neurocognitive outcomes in pediatric hematological cancer survivors after 5 years of the treatment. The most prominent impact was observed on global cognitive outcomes, including intelligence, attention, memory, and executive functioning. Specific cognitive domains, such as processing speed and academic achievement, were also significantly affected. Several studies reported a relationship between HSCT-related factors (e.g., age at transplantation, radiation therapy, graft-versus-host disease) and neurocognitive impairments.

This systematic review provides evidence of the adverse impact of HSCT on neurocognitive outcomes in pediatric hematological cancer survivors at least 5 years post-transplantation. The findings highlight the importance of long-term monitoring and intervention strategies to mitigate these neurocognitive sequelae. Future research should focus on identifying risk factors and developing targeted interventions to optimize the neurocognitive functioning of this vulnerable population. Healthcare professionals involved in the care of pediatric hematological cancer survivors should be aware of these potential long-term neurocognitive effects and incorporate appropriate assessments and interventions into survivorship care plans.