Acute neurological complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in children

Children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) may develop toxicity-related neurological complications (NC). Known risk factors include total body irradiation (TBI) and the use of busulfan or cyclosporine A, but other risk factors might also be of importance. The medical records of 144 children (0-18 yr) who underwent their first HSCT at Karolinska University Hospital (Huddinge) between 1995 and 2002 were reviewed retrospectively concerning pretransplantation parameters and clinical course during the first 3 months after HSCT. Sibling donors were used in 49 transplantations, unrelated donors in 88 and haploidentical donors in seven cases. Nineteen patients (13%) developed NC within the first 3 months after HSCT. A significant association was seen between pretransplant viral status, defined as a higher number of positive herpes group viral serologies in the recipient before transplantation, and NC (p = 0.04). A significant association was also seen for CMV-positive recipients and NC (p = 0.01) as well as for disturbances in serum levels of sodium, potassium and calcium and NC. No association was found between sex, age at HSCT, underlying disease, previous neurological symptoms, the conditioning regimen, GVHD, donor type and NC. Number of positive herpes group viral serologies in the recipient before transplantation and certain electrolyte disturbances may contribute to neurological complications after HSCT.