Emotional and Neuropsychological Outcomes in Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders and Co-occurring Cancer

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a particularly vulnerable group, and psychosocial and cognitive challenges may be made worse by a coexisting medical disease like cancer. Examining mental health and cognitive performance in children with NDDs, both with and without a cancer diagnosis, was the goal of the current study. A total of 32 children between the ages of childhood and early adolescence made up the sample, which was split into two groups: 17 children with a neurodevelopmental disorder without cancer and 15 children with both a neurodevelopmental disorder and cancer. Multiple dimensions of cognitive functioning, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were assessed using standardized assessment instruments.

The two groups differed significantly, according to comparative analysis. Compared to their counterparts with NDDs alone, children with NDDs and cancer showed greater levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms (p<0.01). Additionally, the cancer group demonstrated more impairments in a number of neuropsychological domains, such as working memory, executive functioning, attention, and processing speed (p<0.05). Compared to children with NDDs without cancer, these deficiencies were more severe and pervasive, indicating an additive or interaction influence of oncological illness on neurodevelopmental susceptibility.

The results show that children who have cancer and NDDs at the same time are more likely to have emotional discomfort and cognitive impairment. Pre-existing neurodevelopmental difficulties may be exacerbated by medical interventions, stressors associated with the illness, and extended hospital stays. For this high-risk group, early detection and focused psychological and neuropsychological therapies are crucial. Incorporating cognitive monitoring and mental health screening into pediatric oncology therapy may help reduce long-term negative consequences and enhance general quality of life. Longitudinal trajectories and the effects of particular cancer treatments on neurodevelopmental and emotional functioning in this population should be investigated in future studies.