Psychiatric Problems in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Their Caregivers

Cancer in childhood represents a significant health challenge, with approximately 400,000 children and adolescents aged 0-19 years diagnosed annually. The oncological landscape of pediatric populations is characterized by diverse malignancies, with leukemias, brain cancers, lymphomas, and solid tumors such as neuroblastoma and Wilms tumors constituting the predominant diagnostic categories. Among these, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) emerges as the most prevalent childhood malignancy. Historically, a cancer diagnosis portended an almost invariably fatal outcome. However, contemporary medical interventions have dramatically transformed this narrative. Since 1980, mortality rates across pediatric cancer types have declined by more than 50%, representing a remarkable advancement in clinical oncology. Notably, ALL demonstrates an exceptionally optimistic prognosis, with over 90% of patients achieving complete remission. Despite these encouraging survival statistics, the cancer experience extends beyond physiological parameters. Children diagnosed with leukemia and their familial support systems frequently encounter complex psychological challenges. These manifestations encompass a spectrum of emotional responses, including anxiety, shock, denial, depression, and adaptive difficulties. Critically, these psychological sequelae are not confined to the diagnostic and treatment phases but often persist even after disease remission The multidimensional nature of the cancer experience prompted the emergence of a specialized subdiscipline in 1992. Termed "psycho-oncology" in the United States and "psychosocial oncology" predominantly in European contexts, this field addresses two fundamental psychological dimensions: Emotional and psychosocial responses of patients, families, and caregivers throughout the disease trajectory Psychological, behavioral, and social factors potentially influencing cancer morbidity and mortality. Consequently, contemporary pediatric oncological care adopts a holistic paradigm. The therapeutic objective transcends mere physical restoration, aspiring to ensure the comprehensive social and emotional well-being of both the child and the familial ecosystem.

Sex

All

Minimum age

6 Years

Maximum age

18 Years

A) Case groups:

1. The patients:

Inclusion criteria: the investigators included children with the following criteria:

* Newly diagnosed with ALL
* Aged 6 to 18 years old.

Exclusion criteria: the investigators excluded children with following criteria:

• Children with malignancies other than ALL.

* Age \<6 years old and \>18 years old.
* Children with chronic illness e.g., diabetes mellitus, inflammatory bowel disease, congenital heart disease, cerebral palsy, etc.
* Children with history of psychiatric illness or intellectual disability.

  2 -the caregivers:

Inclusion criteria:

* The caregivers who are in charge of the case children during treatment.

Exclusion criteria:

• The caregivers with history of psychiatric illness.

B) Control groups:

1. the control children:

   Inclusion criteria:

   • Children with matched age and gender to case group.

   Exclusion criteria:
   * Children with history of having malignancy or current malignancy.
   * Children with history of medical, chronic illness or psychiatric disorders.
2. the control caregivers:

Inclusion criteria:

• Caregivers with matched age and gender to the caregivers' case group.

Exclusion criteria:

• Caregivers with history of psychiatric illness.

• BACKGROUNDSpinetta JJ, Jankovic M, Masera G, Ablin AR, Barr RD, Ben Arush MW, D'Angio GJ, Van Dongen-Melman J, Eden T, Epelman C, Martins AG, Greenberg ML, Kosmidis HV, Oppenheim D, Zeltzer PM. Optimal care for the child with cancer: A summary statement from the SIOP Working Committee on Psychosocial Issues in Pediatric Oncology. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2009 Jul;52(7):904-7. doi: 10.1002/pbc.21863. PMID 19142992
• BACKGROUNDHolland JC. Psycho-oncology: Overview, obstacles and opportunities. Psychooncology. 2018 May;27(5):1364-1376. doi: 10.1002/pon.4692. PMID 29749682