Neurobehavioral side effects of corticosteroids during active treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children are age‐dependent: Report from Dana‐Farber Cancer Institute ALL Consortium Protocol 00‐01

Abstract

Preschool children are at greater risk for neurobehavioral side effects during active steroid treatment for ALL than school-age children and adolescents. DEX was not associated with more neurobehavioral side effects than PRED. Counseling of families about side-effects should be adapted according to age. The observed effects, moreover, were transient, reducing concerns about longer-term neurobehavioral toxicities.