title: Three- and four-year cognitive outcome in children with noncortical brain tumors treated with whole-brain radiotherapy.
abstract: Cognitive function and school achievement were studied prospectively over 3 to 4 years in 19 children treated for brain tumors with whole-brain radiotherapy; 14 of 19 also received adjuvant chemotherapy. For the group as a whole, mean IQ fell from a baseline of 104 to 92 at follow-up (p < 0.01). Age was inversely correlated with change in IQ over time (r = 0.71; p < 0.001). Children younger than 7 years at diagnosis had a mean IQ loss of 27 points, while children over 7 years at diagnosis showed no significant decrease in IQ. Decline in IQ occurred between baseline and year 2 of follow-up; none could be documented between years 2 and 4. All children younger than 7 years at diagnosis were receiving special education at follow-up; 50% of the children over 7 years at diagnosis were receiving supplemental educational services.
authors.affiliation: Division of Child Development and Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Medical School, University of Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Radcliffe
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Packer
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Atkins
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Bunin
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Schut
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Goldwein
authors.forename: L N
authors.initials: LN
authors.lastname: Sutton
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome