Effects of antileukemic therapy of endocrine functions and development of children

Twenty-six children with acute lymphocytic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were examined for endocrine function and development at the time of cessation of a 3 to 7 year therapy. Eleven children had received no cranial irradiation (Group 1) and 15 received cranial irradiation of 1,800 to 3,000 rad (Group 2). Linear growth and bone age were significantly retarded in Group 2 compared to normal but the differences between Groups 1 and 2 were not significant. In 1 child in Group 1 and 4 children in Group 2, retardation of linear growth seemed to be irreversible. Endocrine function abnormalities were not remarkable except for significantly high levels of thyroxine in Group 2 and triiodothyronine in both groups. Developmental retardation was thought to be the result of a combined effect of chemotherapy and cranial irradiation, being reversible in the majority of children. Antileukemic therapy, bone age, cranial irradiation, development, endocrine functions.