Neurological complications after stem cell transplantation in childhood

We analyzed the incidence of neurological complications in 77 patients rece iving stem cell transplantation (SCT), and 12 patients (15.8%) had the foll owing symptoms: convulsions, intracranial hemorrhage, and leukoencephalopat hy, Although statistically not significant, neurological complications were seen more frequently in patients after allogeneic transplantation, and in those with acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) exceeding grade II. The m ost significant risk factor for neurological complications was identified a s unrelated donor allogenic transplantation (P = 0.016). Complications were categorized into three groups, based on time of onset and symptoms: (1) co nvulsions during the conditioning period, (2) intracranial hemorrhage durin g the period of granulocyte recovery, and (3) leukoencephalopathy at around 2 months after SCT, We propose awareness of the risks of neurological comp lications in each period after SCT so that immediate and effective treatmen t of patients can be instigated.