Psychiatric morbidity in children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia

The study aimed at assessing the frequency of psychiatric disorders in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Thirty consecutive subjects in the age range of 6-12 years were interviewed with the help of a symptom checklist soon after they had achieved their first remission. The children were also administered the Children's Depression Rating Scale and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children. One-third (n = 10) of the subjects received a diagnosis according to the International Classification of Diseases, 9th ed. Ninety percent (n = 9) had emotional disorders. All the disorders were mild to moderate in intensity and were perceived to be easily treatable.