title: Language skills in a child with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy following intrathecal chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
abstract: The language skills of a male child with Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) and coincidentally treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) with intrathecal chemotherapy at the age of 3 years 8 months were comprehensively evaluated twice over a 6-month period approximately 5&#x00BD; years after diagnosis of ALL. Despite marked chemotherapy-related leukoencephalopathic changes documented on magnetic resonance imaging, the child presented with stable language skills, which were generally average to above-average based on the normative data from a comprehensive language test battery. In light of the coincidental presentation in the child of a diagnosis of LHON, which may lead to serious vision impairment and increased vulnerability to drug neurotoxicity, coupled with a history of central nervous system (CNS)-directed treatment for ALL resulting in progressive white matter pathology, the study highlights the importance of ongoing monitoring of the child's language development throughout his adolescent years.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. f.lewis@uq.edu.au
authors.forename: Fiona M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Coman
authors.forename: Bruce E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Murdoch
mesh_terms: D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D007278:Injections, Spinal; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D029242:Optic Atrophy, Hereditary, Leber / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*