Research Article Cognitive deficits in long-term survivors of childhood brain tumors: Identification of predictive factors Tonny Solveig Reimers, MA 1 *, Susanne Ehrenfels, MA 1, Erik Lykke Mortensen, MA 4, Marianne Schmiegelow, MD 2 3, Signe Sønderkær, MD 3, Henrik Carstensen, MD 3, Kjeld Schmiegelow, MD 3, Jørn Müller, MD 2 1Department of Psychology, Play Therapy, and Social Work, The Juliane Marie Center, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark 2Department of Growth and Reproduction, The Juliane Marie Center, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark 3Department of Pediatric Clinic II, The Juliane Marie Center, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark 4Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Denmark email: Tonny Solveig Reimers (tsr@rh.dk) *Correspondence to Tonny Solveig Reimers, Department of Psychology, Play Therapy, and Social Work, The Juliane Marie Center, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, 9 Blegdamsvej, section 4073, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. Abstract Background To describe cognitive function and to evaluate the association between potentially predictive factors and cognitive outcome in an unselected population of survivors of childhood brain tumors. Procedure We studied a consecutive sample of 133 patients (76 had received radiotherapy (RT)) who had a brain tumor diagnosed before the age of 15 years and were treated during the period January 1970 through February 1997 in the Eastern part of Denmark. Biologic effective dose of irradiation (BED) was assessed in 71 patients. One hundred twenty-seven patients were able to cooperate to WISC-R and WAIS-R. Multiple regression models were constructed to evaluate relationships between possible risk factors and cognitive outcome. Results and Conclusions The mean intelligence (IQ) scores were substantially lower than the expected means of the general population. Younger age at diagnosis, tumor site in cerebral hemisphere, hydrocephalus treated with shunt, and treatment with RT were found to be significant predictors of lower cognitive functions. RT was the most important risk factor for impaired intellectual outcome. The mean observed full scale IQ was 97.1 (SD = 14.3) for the non-irradiated patients and 78.8 (SD = 14.3) for the irradiated patients (adjusted P < 0.001). Verbal IQ, but not performance and full scale IQ, had a significant negative correlation to BED to the tumor site (P < 0.05). These results can be used to identify subgroups of children who are at increased risk for cognitive deficits allowing early and goal-directed intervention. Med Pediatr Oncol 2003;40:26-34, 11/02 Remember we are NOT Doctors and have NO medical training. This site is like an Encylopedia - there are many pages, many links on many topics. Support our work with any size DONATION - see left side of any page - for how to donate. You can help raise awareness of CAM.