Developmental and adaptive functioning of very young children with solid tumors and brain tumors.

Purpose: Infancy/toddlerhood is a period of rapid development. All infants/toddlers (0-36 months-of-age) undergoing cancer-directed treatment at one hospital are offered developmental assessments and related services. Yet, literature comparing development of infants/toddlers with brain tumors to those with non-CNS solid tumors is sparse.

Movement efficiency in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: a report from the St. Jude lifetime cohort study.

Purpose: Movement efficiency, a measure of neuromuscular biomechanics, may be modified by physical activity. We aimed to assess the risk of and risk factors for low movement efficiency in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Methods: Participants underwent an assessment of activity energy expenditure (AEE) with actigraphy, and the gold standard doubly labeled water, where the differences between elimination rates of oxygen and hydrogen from body water are evaluated over a week.

Post-PICU Cognitive and Psychological Outcomes in Children Receiving Treatments for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Objectives: To examine neurocognitive and psychological outcomes associated with post-PICU admissions in children treated for childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).

Design: Observational study from October 2007 to March 2017.

Setting: Pediatric onco-critical care unit.

Children's Oncology Group's 2023 blueprint for research: Behavioral science.

As survival rates for childhood cancer have improved, there has been increasing focus on identifying and addressing adverse impacts of cancer and its treatment on children and their families during treatment and into survivorship. The Behavioral Science Committee (BSC) of the Children's Oncology Group (COG), comprised of psychologists, neuropsychologists, social workers, nurses, physicians, and clinical research associates, aims to improve the lives of children with cancer and their families through research and dissemination of empirically supported knowledge. Key achievements of the BSC include enhanced interprofessional collaboration through integration of liaisons into other key committees within COG, successful measurement of critical neurocognitive outcomes through standardized neurocognitive assessment strategies, contributions to evidence-based guidelines, and optimization of patient-reported outcome measurement.

A joint international consensus statement for measuring quality of survival for patients with childhood cancer.

The aim of treating childhood cancer remains to cure all. As survival rates improve, long-term health outcomes increasingly define quality of care. The International Childhood Cancer Outcome Project developed a set of core outcomes for most types of childhood cancers involving relevant international stakeholders (survivors; pediatric oncologists; other medical, nursing or paramedical care providers; and psychosocial or neurocognitive care providers) to allow outcome-based evaluation of childhood cancer care.

Genetic variants, neurocognitive outcomes, and functional neuroimaging in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Background: Genetic predispositions may modulate risk for developing neurocognitive late effects in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) survivors.

Methods: Long-term ALL survivors (n = 212; mean = 14.3 [SD = 4.

Case Series: Neurobehavioral Profile of Adolescents with PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome.

Background: PTEN Hamartoma Tumor Syndrome (PHTS) is a rare genetic condition caused by germline mutations in the phosphatase and tensin homologue (PTEN) gene with a phenotype that includes macrocephaly, cancer predisposition, developmental delay, increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and learning difficulties. Studies characterizing neurobehavioral profiles are limited.

Methods: This single-site, retrospective case series was completed in children who have PHTS followed in a cancer predisposition clinic.

Health literacy correlates with abbreviated full-scale IQ in adolescent and young adults with sickle cell disease.

Introduction: Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a chronic condition with progressive neurocognitive deficits. Health literacy (HL) is essential during adolescence and young adulthood, as the transition to adult care requires healthcare decisions. HL is known to be low in SCD; however, relation between general cognitive ability and HL has not been investigated.

The Impact of Intensified CNS-Directed Therapy on Neurocognitive Outcomes in Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treated Without Cranial Irradiation.

Purpose: Findings from St Jude Total Therapy Study 16 (Total 16) showed early intensification of triple intrathecal therapy (ITT) improved CNS disease control for children with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at the greatest risk of CNS relapse. We examined the impact of this treatment on end-of-therapy neurocognitive outcomes.

Methods: Between 2007 and 2017, 400 (83.

Working memory and school readiness in preschool children with sickle cell disease compared to demographically matched controls.

Children diagnosed with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at risk of the development of neurobehavioural problems early in life. Specific impairments in executive function skills, including working memory, have been documented in school-aged children with SCD. These executive skills are known to strongly contribute to early academic skills and preparedness for entering kindergarten.

Occupational Therapy: An Essential Component of Support for Young Children With Cancer.

We established a multidisciplinary early childhood clinic to support infants and toddlers receiving cancer treatment. The access to occupational therapy (OT) in this population is unknown. To describe the access to OT for infants and toddlers with cancer.

Sex-Based Differences in Functional Brain Activity During Working Memory in Survivors of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Background: Long-term survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia are at elevated risk for neurocognitive deficits and corresponding brain dysfunction. This study examined sex-based differences in functional neuroimaging outcomes in acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors treated with chemotherapy alone.

Methods: Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and neurocognitive testing were obtained in 123 survivors (46% male; median [min-max] age = 14.

Neuropathic pain and neurocognitive functioning in children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) often experience treatment-related neurocognitive deficits and significant pain. Pain may exacerbate these cognitive impairments. This study examined neuropathic pain and neurocognitive outcomes in survivors of childhood ALL treated with contemporary therapy on a clinical trial (NCT00137111).

Structural and Functional Brain Imaging in Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Treated With Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review.

Background: The effect of chemotherapy on brain development in long-term survivors of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) was systematically reviewed.

Methods: A systematic search of Pubmed, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases was conducted to identify articles published between January 2000 and February 2020 that implemented magnetic resonance imaging to assess brain structure and function in pediatric ALL survivors (diagnosed younger than 21 years of age). The review included articles that were published on children diagnosed with ALL between 0 and 21 years of age and treated with chemotherapy-only protocols.

Hydroxyurea treatment and neurocognitive functioning in sickle cell disease from school age to young adulthood.

Neurocognitive impairment is common in sickle cell disease (SCD) and is associated with significant functional limitations. In a cross-sectional analysis, we examined the association between hydroxyurea (HU) treatment and neurocognitive functioning from school-age to young adulthood in individuals with SCD. A total of 215 patients with HbSS/HbSβ -thalassaemia (71% HU treated) and 149 patients with HbSC/HbSβ -thalassaemia (20% HU treated) completed neurocognitive measures at one of four developmental stages: school-age (age 8-9 years), early adolescence (age 12-13 years), late adolescence (age 16-17 years) and young adulthood (ages 19-24 years).

Opportunities, barriers, and recommendations in down syndrome research.

Background: Recent advances in medical care have increased life expectancy and improved the quality of life for people with Down syndrome (DS). These advances are the result of both pre-clinical and clinical research but much about DS is still poorly understood. In 2020, the NIH announced their plan to update their DS research plan and requested input from the scientific and advocacy community.

Relationship Between Parent and Teacher Reported Executive Functioning and Maladaptive Behaviors in Children With Down Syndrome.

The current study evaluates the concurrent relationship between parent ratings of executive functioning and maladaptive behavior among children and adolescents with Down syndrome and then repeats this evaluation using teacher reports. Parents and teachers of 63 school-age children with Down syndrome rated the child's executive functioning (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function) and behaviors (Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist). For parent and teacher ratings, elevated behavior dysregulation predicted higher levels of rule-breaking, aggressive, and externalizing behavior.

Cognitive performance as a predictor of healthcare transition in sickle cell disease.

Neurocognitive deficits in sickle cell disease (SCD) may impair adult care engagement. We investigated the relationship between neurocognitive functioning and socio-environmental factors with healthcare transition outcomes. Adolescents aged 15-18 years who had neurocognitive testing and completed a visit with an adult provider were included.

Adaptive functioning and academic achievement in survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A report from the Children's Oncology Group.

Purpose: To characterize academic and adaptive skill outcomes in survivors of high-risk B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (HR B-ALL).

Methods: Participants were 178 patients enrolled on a nontherapeutic clinical trial that aimed to characterize neurocognitive and functional outcomes (ie, academic achievement and adaptive skills) following treatment for childhood HR B-ALL. Eligible patients were treated on Children's Oncology Group AALL0232 clinical trial that included two treatment randomizations: methotrexate delivery (high or escalating dose) and corticosteroid (dexamethasone or prednisone).