The course of health-related quality of life after the diagnosis of childhood cancer: a national cohort study.

Background: Comprehensive insight in the longitudinal development of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) after childhood cancer diagnosis could improve quality of care. Thus, we aimed to study the course and biopsychosocial determinants of HRQOL in a unique national cohort of children with cancer.

Methods: HRQOL of 2154 children with cancer was longitudinally reported (median: 3 reports) between diagnosis and 5 years after, using the pediatric quality of life inventory generic core scales (PedsQL).

Perioperative risk factors for long-term intelligence in children with postoperative cerebellar mutism syndrome after medulloblastoma surgery.

Objective: Approximately 7%-50% of children with medulloblastoma (MB) develop postoperative cerebellar mutism syndrome (pCMS). pCMS has a short-term negative impact on intelligence, but effects on long-term outcomes are contradictory. The aim of this study was to assess long-term effects of pCMS in MB patients on aspects of intelligence quotient (IQ) and its perioperative risk factors.

School functioning of children with perinatal HIV-infection in high-income countries: A systematic review.

Introduction: Since the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a manageable chronic disease. However, school-age children (4-18 years) living with HIV could still experience problems with functioning at school, due to the impact of the virus itself, medication, comorbidities and social stigma. School functioning covers academic achievement, school attendance, and social relationships and is of utmost importance to optimize normal participation.

Can serial cerebral MRIs predict the neuronopathic phenotype of MPS II?

Objective: To advance the prediction of the neurocognitive development in MPS II patients by jointly analyzing MRI and neurocognitive data in mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) II patients.

Methods: Cognitive ability scores (CAS) were obtained by neuropsychological testing. Cerebral MRIs were quantified using a disease-specific protocol.

Effectiveness and safety of the tri-iodothyronine analogue Triac in children and adults with MCT8 deficiency: an international, single-arm, open-label, phase 2 trial.

Background: Deficiency of the thyroid hormone transporter monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) causes severe intellectual and motor disability and high serum tri-iodothyronine (T) concentrations (Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome). This chronic thyrotoxicosis leads to progressive deterioration in bodyweight, tachycardia, and muscle wasting, predisposing affected individuals to substantial morbidity and mortality. Treatment that safely alleviates peripheral thyrotoxicosis and reverses cerebral hypothyroidism is not yet available.

Long-term neuropsychological outcome following pediatric anti-NMDAR encephalitis.

Objective: To provide detailed long-term outcome data of children and adolescents following pediatric anti--methyl-d-aspartate receptor (anti-NMDAR) encephalitis, to identify neuropsychological impairments, and to evaluate the influence of these factors on quality of life (QoL).

Methods: All Dutch children diagnosed with anti-NMDAR encephalitis were identified. Patients currently aged 4 years or older were included in the follow-up study, consisting of a visit to our clinic for a detailed interview and a standardized neuropsychological assessment.

Very Long-term Sequelae After Nonradical Surgery Combined With Brachytherapy in an Infant With a Chemotherapy-resistant Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Tongue.

In 2003, van Grotel and colleagues reported an infant suffering a chemotherapy-resistant eRMS of the tongue, that was treated with subtotal tumor resection and brachytherapy after major medical ethical discussions. As no long-term sequelae of such a procedure have been described, perspectives were uncertain at that time. Now, after 15 years, we describe hypoplasia of the mandibula, compromised dentation, osteopenia, neuropsychological deficits, and moderate speech impairment as the most prominent late effects.

Development of emotional and behavioral problems in neurofibromatosis type 1 during young childhood.

This retrospective longitudinal study in young children with neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) aimed to identify if, and how early problems in behavior, intelligence, and language development are associated with later behavioral problems. At the first assessment at preschool age, we evaluated language skills, intelligence, and emotional and behavioral problems as reported by parents. The second assessment at school-age we evaluated intelligence, and emotional and behavioral problems as reported by parents and teachers.

Eating behavior during dexamethasone treatment in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background And Aim: Large prospective studies on dexamethasone-induced changes in eating behavior, energy, and nutrient intake are lacking in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). We prospectively studied eating behavior, energy, nutrient intake, and the effect on leptin and adiponectin levels during dexamethasone administration in children with ALL.

Patients: Parents of patients with ALL (3-16 years) completed a dietary diary for their child during 4 days of dexamethasone (6 mg/m ) administration.

Risk factors for development of postoperative cerebellar mutism syndrome in children after medulloblastoma surgery.

OBJECTIVE Postoperative cerebellar mutism syndrome (pCMS) occurs in 7%-50% of children after cerebellar tumor surgery. Typical features include a latent onset of 1-2 days after surgery, transient mutism, emotional lability, and a wide variety of motor and neurobehavioral abnormalities. Sequelae of this syndrome usually persist long term.

Developmental problems in patients with oesophageal atresia: a longitudinal follow-up study.

Objective: To longitudinally evaluate motor development and predictive factors in school-age children with oesophageal atresia.

Design: Cohort study with prospective longitudinal follow-up.

Setting: Outpatient clinic of a tertiary university paediatric hospital.

Predicting the neurobehavioral side effects of dexamethasone in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Although dexamethasone is an effective treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), it can induce a variety of serious neurobehavioral side effects. We hypothesized that these side effects are influenced by glucocorticoid sensitivity at the tissue level. We therefore prospectively studied whether we could predict the occurrence of these side effects using the very low-dose dexamethasone suppression test (DST) or by measuring trough levels of dexamethasone.

Health-related quality of life and emotional problems in children surviving brain tumor treatment: A descriptive study of 2 cohorts.

The survival of childhood brain tumors has improved in the past 30 years, but acquired brain injury due to damage caused by tumor invasion and side effects of different treatment modalities frequently occurs. This study focused on residual impairments, health-related quality of life (HRQoL), and emotional and behavioral problems in 2 cohorts of survivors diagnosed and treated for various types of brain tumors. Survivors in the 2004 cohort visited the Erasmus Medical Centre for standardized follow-up between 2003 and 2004, and in the 2014 cohort, between 2012 and 2014.

Cardiac arrest in infants, children, and adolescents: long-term emotional and behavioral functioning.

Unlabelled: Very little is known about the psychological consequences of a cardiac arrest (CA) during childhood. Our aim was to assess long-term emotional and behavioral functioning, and its predictors, in survivors of CA in childhood. This long-term follow-up study involved all consecutive infants, children, and adolescents surviving CA in a tertiary-care university children's hospital between January 2002 and December 2011.

Hydrocortisone as an Intervention for Dexamethasone-Induced Adverse Effects in Pediatric Patients With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Results of a Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: Dexamethasone is a key component in the treatment of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), but can induce serious adverse effects. Recent studies have led to the hypothesis that neuropsychological adverse effects may be a result of cortisol depletion of the cerebral mineralocorticoid receptors. We examined whether including a physiologic dose of hydrocortisone in dexamethasone treatment can reduce neuropsychologic and metabolic adverse effects in children with ALL.

Growing Up After Critical Illness: Verbal, Visual-Spatial, and Working Memory Problems in Neonatal Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Survivors.

Objectives: To assess neuropsychologic outcome in 17- and 18-year-old neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation survivors.

Design: A prospective longitudinal follow-up study.

Setting: Follow-up program at the Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Long-term cognitive follow-up in children treated for Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome.

Background: It remains unclear to what extent the brain is affected by Maroteaux-Lamy syndrome (MPS VI), a progressive lysosomal storage disorder. While enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) elicits positive effects, the drug cannot cross the blood-brain barrier. We therefore studied cognitive development and brain abnormalities in the Dutch MPS VI patient population treated with ERT.

Children with congenital colorectal malformations often require special education or remedial teaching, despite normal intelligence.

Aim: This study prospectively evaluated neuropsychological functioning in 8-year-old patients with anorectal malformation (ARM) and Hirschsprung's disease (HD).

Methods: School functioning and behaviour were assessed in a standardised interview. Intelligence, attention, self-esteem and quality of life were evaluated with validated tests and questionnaires.

Long-term neuropsychological outcomes in children and adolescents after cardiac arrest.

Purpose: Research into neuropsychological functioning of survivors of cardiac arrest (CA) in childhood is scarce. We sought to assess long-term neuropsychological functioning in children and adolescents surviving CA.

Methods: Neuropsychological follow-up study involving all consecutive children surviving CA between January 2002 and December 2011.

Long-term outcome of Guillain-Barré syndrome in children.

The objective of this study is to determine the long-term outcome and consequences of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) in children. This is an observational cross-sectional cohort study of children diagnosed with GBS (0-18 years old) at the Sophia Children's Hospital in Rotterdam from 1987 to 2009. All patients were invited for a structured interview, questionnaires, and full neurologic exam to record their current clinical condition focused on complaints and symptoms, neurological deficits, disabilities, behavior, and quality of life.