Long-Term Effects on the Intelligence of Children Treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the intelligence quotient (IQ) in children treated for leukemia decreases in the years following whole brain irradiation. Twenty-seven leukemic children were assessed following a mean time lapse between radiotherapy and IQ measurement of 9 years. The IQ test used was the Hamburg Weschsler Intelligence Test for Adults. The IQ results did not differ significantly, p > 0.05, from the IQs of the general population. It was found that age and dose were not predictors of a decrease in IQ. The only predictor was time lapse between irradiation and IQ measurement, which we found to be indicative of an IQ decrease even after 9 years. Time lapse between irradiation is a useful predictor of IQ.

• Brain radiotherapy
• Childhood cancer
• Intelligence quotient
• Leukemia