Adaptive functioning in children in the first six months after surgery for brain tumours

Abstract

Purpose. To examine the adaptive functioning of children who underwent surgery for brain tumours with a view to analyse the related acute impairments and to describe their short-term outcome.

Method. We investigated adaptive functioning in 25 children (ranging from 2 to 18 years of age) for 40 days and again 3 and 6 months after they underwent surgery for various brain tumours. The Vineland Adaptive Behaviour Scales (VABS) were used to assess their adaptive functioning, considering the four main domains and all the subdomains.

Results. The results remained stable over the follow-up period considered. The domain in which the scores were most severely affected was Daily Living, followed by the Socialisation and Communication domains. Within the Communication domain, the abilities investigated in the Receptive subdomain revealed the worst impairments. Within the Daily Living domain, impairments were most evident in the children's capacity to take care of themselves and handle domestic activities. In the Socialisation domain, Play and Leisure Time, and Interpersonal Relationships were the subdomains most severely impaired.

Conclusions. These findings are relevant because identifying children's adaptive functioning difficulties sooner could help their rehabilitation to be tailored and thus have a positive fallout on their long-term outcome.

Keywords:

• Children
• brain tumour
• adaptive functioning

Declaration of interest: This work was supported by a grant from the Italian Ministry of Health (for 2006–2008). The Cure & Care Project was coordinated by the Carlo Besta Foundation, partnered by the Italian National Cancer Institute, the Bambin Gesù Pediatric Hospital (OPBG, Rome) and the Children in Hospital Association.