COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT ASSESSMENT IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS WITH ACUTE LYMPHOID LEUKEMIA: A LONGITUDINAL STUDY IN MANAUS, AMAZONAS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56238/revgeov17n6-019Keywords:
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia, Cognitive Development, Neuropsychological AssessmentAbstract
Pediatric cancer represents one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in childhood, with particular emphasis on Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL), the most common malignant neoplasm in this age group. Although therapeutic advances have raised survival rates to approximately 90%, prolonged exposure to chemotherapy during critical phases of neurological development raises important questions about its effects on children’s cognitive functioning. This study aimed to assess the cognitive development of children with ALL throughout chemotherapy treatment, analyzing the Full Scale Intelligence Quotient (FSIQ) and the indices of verbal comprehension, perceptual organization, working memory, and processing speed. This is a prospective longitudinal study conducted with six pediatric participants treated at the HEMOAM Foundation in Manaus, Amazonas, between 2021 and 2022, using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children — fourth edition (WISC-IV) at three assessment time points (D0, D35, and D84). Results indicated that the FSIQ remained predominantly within the average range, with transient fluctuations associated with the most intensive phases of treatment, particularly in the Processing Speed Index. The findings reinforce the importance of continuous neuropsychological monitoring throughout pediatric oncological treatment.
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