Does dexamethasone induce more neuropsychological side effects than prednisone in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia? A systematic review.

Abstract

Steroid-induced neuropsychological side effects impact quality of life in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Dexamethasone induces more metabolic side effects than prednisone. To evaluate whether dexamethasone also leads to more neuropsychological side effects, we reviewed all available literature. Randomized controlled trials with neuropsychological function as the primary or secondary outcome did not show clinically meaningful differences between dexamethasone and prednisone on cognition, mood or behavior.

• Authors: L T Warris, M M van den Heuvel-Eibrink, M A H den Hoed, F K Aarsen, R Pieters, E L T van den Akker
• Journal: Pediatric blood & cancer (Pediatr Blood Cancer) Vol. 61 Issue 7 Pg. 1313-8 (Jul 2014) ISSN: 1545-5017 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 24532490 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review, Systematic Review)
• Copyright: © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical References

• Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
• Dexamethasone

Topics

• Adolescent
• Affect (drug effects)
• Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Behavior (drug effects)
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Cognition (drug effects)
• Dexamethasone (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Male
• Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma (drug therapy, psychology)
• Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic