[Therapy-related central nervous system complications in acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of childhood (author's transl)].

An increasing number of children with acute leukemia show cerebral complications. 10 out of 78 children treated in our hospital for acute lymphoblastic leukemia or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who underwent remission induction therapy or were in continuous complete remission developed central nervous system complications. During intensive initial therapy, intracerebral hemorrhages (2) and metabolic disturbances with concomitant cerebral convulsions (3) were seen. Unusual central-nervous infections occured in each treatment period (3). Cerebral degenerations could be observed only during the maintenance therapy (2). Cerebral convulsions were the leading symptom in 7 children. With intensive control of the coagulation system and the metabolic parameters central nervous system complications in the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia should be reduced significantly.