ABSTRACT

Background: The effect of childhood brain tumor and its treatments on the developing brain are recognized to cause late-occurring structural and functional changes, inclusive of neurocognitive and communication disturbances.

Aims: The aim of the present study was to investigate changes in function in the prospective cognitive-communication and language abilities of two children surviving childhood brain tumor (CBT) over a 12-month period post-treatment.

Methods: The comprehensive language and cognitive-communication abilities of two cases (male aged 7;8–8;8, female aged 10;9–11;9) were assessed at two timepoints over a 12-month period: six months and 18 months following completion of CBT cancer treatment.

Results: Findings revealed a sharp decline in problem solving abilities over a 12-month period in the early stages of recovery from CBT in both cases examined, despite no or mild-moderate deficits in cognitive-communication or language function at initial assessment. Pre-literacy skills were noted to deteriorate on one task for one child, despite intact abilities at first assessment.

Conclusions: The findings of progressive deterioration of cognitive-communication skills in both children treated for CBT highlights a clear need for ongoing surveillance and full comprehensive assessment across development. The critical need for ongoing management after discharge and implementation of early intervention throughout development is highlighted.

摘要

背景：儿童脑肿瘤及其治疗对发育中的大脑的影响被认为会导致晚期发生的结构和功能变化，包括神经认知和交流障碍。

目的：本研究的目的是调查在治疗后 12 个月内，两名儿童脑肿瘤 (CBT) 幸存儿童在前瞻性认知交流和语言能力方面的功能变化。

方法：在 12 个月内的两个时间点：6 个月和 18完成 CBT 癌症治疗后数月。

结果：调查结果显示，在接受检查的两个案例中，在从 CBT 恢复的早期阶段的 12 个月内，解决问题的能力急剧下降，尽管在初始评估时认知交流或语言功能没有或轻度-中度缺陷。尽管在第一次评估时能力完好，但注意到识字前技能在为一个孩子完成一项任务时会恶化。

结论：接受 CBT 治疗的两个儿童的认知交流技能逐渐恶化的结果凸显了对整个发育过程进行持续监测和全面综合评估的明确需求。强调了出院后持续管理和在整个发展过程中实施早期干预的迫切需要。