LG-09: ADAPTIVE BEHAVIOR IN CHILDREN WITH LOW-GRADE GLIOMA

Pediatric brain tumor survivors frequently suffer from decreased cognitive function and poor educational outcomes. Tumor location and/or treatment related side effects influence children's development and their ability to function independently (i.e. adaptive behavior). The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate adaptive behavior in children with low-grade glioma (LGG). Adaptive behavior of 50 children with LGG was compared to 40 healthy family controls and a U.S. norm population, using the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales Parent/Caregiver Rating Form (VABS-II). Compared to family controls, the LGG-group showed impaired adaptive behavior. Motor skills (p < 0.01) were most severely affected, followed by communication (p < 0.05) and socialization (p < 0.05). Within the motor skills domain the gross motor skills were most severely impaired. Communication impairments were most evident in the writing domain, whereas play and leisure time revealed the worst impairment within the socialization domain. The LGG-group performed below the U.S. norm population on written, domestic and gross motor skills subdomains, while exceeding the norm population on coping skills and fine motor skills subdomains. The family control group exceeded the norm population on 10 out of 15 VABS-II (sub)domains. An exploratory multiple regression analysis identified that especially children diagnosed with LGG at younger age were at risk for impaired motor skills (β = 0.518, p < 0.01). Adaptive behavior of children with LGG is impaired, most prevalent regarding motor skills. As a result, screening for impaired adaptive behavior is recommended, enabling customization of rehabilitation, that hopefully leads to a better adaptive behavior outcome while aging.