Intellectual functions in childhood malignant disorders

Our study was designed to compare the intellectual functions in 35 children with lymphoreticular malignancies (ALL or NHL) who had received CNS directed therapy (Group A), with those in 21 patients with solid tumors (Group B). Intellectual assessment was done using the Malin's modification for Indian children of the Wechsler's intelligence scale. Using 5 verbal and performance subscales each, the verbal IQ, performance IQ and full scale IQ were derived. The mean VIQ, PIQ and FIQ were comparable in the two groups with the differences not being statistically significant. However, the dispersion of IQ scores was greater in Group A with a larger number of subjects having scores of < 80. Similarly, the scores obtained in the arithmetic, digit-span, picture completion and block design subscales were lower in Group A. Mean IQ scores were significantly lower in children over the age of 10 years at diagnosis. Sex duration since diagnosis, disease free survival and treatment variables did not affect IQ scores. In conclusion, a cross-sectional evaluation of intellectual functions has revealed only minimal differences in children treated with chemotherapy and CNS directed therapy (ITMTX and RT) in comparison to those treated with chemotherapy alone.