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Psychological Morbidity in Children Undergoing Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

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Abstract

Diagnosis of leukemia causes severe stress in the child and family. Present work was carried out to study emotional and behavioral problems in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) undergoing chemotherapy. Psychopathology was assessed using childhood psychopathology measurement schedule (CPMS) in three groups of children aged 6–14 y: ALL, non-oncologic chronic disease (bronchial asthma) and minor ailment (control). Mean CPMS score in ALL group was 8.76 ± 4.66 (range 1–20); in asthma group 5.72 ± 3.13 (range 2–14) and 5.44 ± 3.37 (range 1–13) in control group (p < 0.01). Fourteen of 40 (35.0 %) children with ALL had a CPMS score of ≥10 as against 11 of 50 (22.0 %) in the chronic disease group. Children with ALL scored higher on the conduct disorder, depression and physical illness with emotional problems. Older age (10–14 y) and male gender had significant correlation with depression. Male children also had more conduct disorders.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India

    Vineeta Gupta, Aparna Singh, Tej Bali Singh & Shashikala Upadhyay

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  1. Vineeta Gupta
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  2. Aparna Singh
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  3. Tej Bali Singh
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  4. Shashikala Upadhyay
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Correspondence to Vineeta Gupta.

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Gupta, V., Singh, A., Singh, T.B. et al. Psychological Morbidity in Children Undergoing Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Indian J Pediatr 81, 699–701 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-013-1211-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-013-1211-8

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