Acute encephalopathy during induction therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Twenty-one children who suffered an acute encephalopathic illness during induction chemotherapy for ALL are described. Convulsions and coma were a major feature of this illness. In the absence of other predisposing factors we feel that the encephalopathy was secondary to drug toxicity. Two children died, and 4 of the surviving children have also died. Modifications of antileukemic therapy because of encephalopathic illness may have had a part to play in the outcome for some of these children. The surviving children appear to be neurologically and developmentally normal.
Gerrard
M P
MP
Department of Haematology, Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Edinburgh, Scotland.
Eden
O B
OB
Lilleyman
J S
JS
D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000401:mortality; D002648:Child; D003128:Coma / Q000139:chemically induced; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012074:Remission Induction; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology