Heather M. Conklin PhD

Publications (3)5.67 Total impact

• Article: ADHD and secondary ADHD criteria fail to identify many at‐risk survivors of pediatric ALL and brain tumor

  Lisa S. Kahalley PhD, Heather M. Conklin PhD, Vida L. Tyc PhD, Stephanie J. Wilson BA, Pamela S. Hinds PhD, RN, FAAN, Shengjie Wu MS, Xiaoping Xiong PhD, Melissa M. Hudson MD
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  ABSTRACT: Background Post-treatment attention problems experienced by pediatric cancer survivors have been described as similar to symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) experienced in physically healthy children. Accordingly, the objectives of this study were to: (a) estimate the rate of occurrence of ADHD and secondary ADHD (SADHD) in a sample of pediatric cancer survivors, (b) compare the rate of ADHD/SADHD among survivors to the prevalence of ADHD in the general population, and (c) examine clinical correlates of ADHD/SADHD in this sample.ProcedureSurvivors of pediatric ALL or brain tumor (n = 100) participated in an assessment of attention including a Computerized Performance Measure [Conners' Continuous Performance test-II (CPT-II)], parent and self-report measures (Conners 3), and a structured diagnostic interview for ADHD and other psychological disorders [Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents-IV (DICA-IV)].ResultsBinomial tests revealed that the rate of ADHD/SADHD in our sample (9%) was significantly greater than the lower limits of ADHD prevalence among children in the US (3%; P < 0.001), while no difference was identified compared to the upper limits of ADHD prevalence (7%; P > 0.05). Many additional survivors (>25% of the sample) obtained clinical elevations on Conners 3 scales but did not meet ADHD/SADHD criteria.Conclusions Attentional deficits experienced by pediatric cancer survivors do not appear to resemble the clinical presentation of ADHD or SADHD. Many survivors with cognitive and behavioral difficulties related to attention were not identified using this diagnostic approach. Findings offer needed clarification to guide researchers and clinicians in conceptualizing, assessing, and intervening on attentional late effects. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011;57:110–118. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
  Pediatric Blood & Cancer 02/2011; 57(1):110 - 118. · 1.89 Impact Factor
• Article: Predicting behavioral problems in craniopharyngioma survivors after conformal radiation therapy

  Eugenia P. Dolson BS, Heather M. Conklin PhD, Chenghong Li PhD, Xiaoping Xiong PhD, PhD Thomas E. Merchant DO
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  ABSTRACT: Background Although radiation therapy is a primary treatment for craniopharyngioma, it can exacerbate existing problems related to the tumor and pre-irradiation management. Survival is often marked by neurologic deficits, panhypopituitarism, diabetes insipidus, cognitive deficiencies, and behavioral and social problems.ProcedureThe Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) was used to evaluate behavioral and social problems during the first 5 years of follow-up in 27 patients with craniopharyngioma treated with conformal radiation therapy.ResultsAll group averages for the CBCL scales were within the age-typical range at pre-irradiation baseline. Extent of surgical resection was implicated in baseline differences for the internalizing, externalizing, behavior problem and social scores. Significant longitudinal changes were found in internalizing, externalizing, behavior problem and school scores that correlated with tumor and treatment-related factors.Conclusions The most common variables implicated in post-irradiation behavioral and social problems were CSF shunting, presence of an Ommaya reservoir, diabetes insipidus, and low pre-irradiation growth hormone levels. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:860–864. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
  Pediatric Blood & Cancer 06/2009; 52(7):860 - 864. · 1.89 Impact Factor
• Article: Growth effects of methylphenidate among childhood cancer survivors: A 12‐month case‐matched open‐label study

  Bruce W. Jasper PhD, Heather M. Conklin PhD, Joanne Lawford PhD, E. Brannon Morris MD, Scott C. Howard MD, Shengjie Wu MS, Xiaoping Xiong PhD, John Shelso MD, Raja B. Khan MD
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  ABSTRACT: Background To investigate the effect of stimulant medication [methylphenidate (MPH)] on growth patterns among survivors of childhood cancer (acute lymphoblastic leukemia or brain tumor).ProcedureUsing a case-matched comparison design, childhood cancer survivors participating in a 12-month open-label MPH trial (n = 51) were compared with childhood cancer survivors not taking MPH (n = 51). Measures of body mass index (BMI), height, and weight were obtained at hospital visits and corrected for gender and age using Centers for Disease Control normative data.ResultsSignificant deceleration of BMI and weight, but not height, was observed during the 12-month MPH trial for those children taking MPH.Conclusions Childhood cancer survivors taking MPH experience significant, though modest, deceleration of BMI and weight across the first year of MPH intervention. The absence of height deceleration, and the presence of only modest BMI and weight deceleration, suggests that MPH is reasonably well tolerated by childhood cancer survivors with respect to growth. Such findings are encouraging in light of increasing evidence that MPH mitigates some of the cognitive late-effects of cancer treatments. Nevertheless, on a case-by-case basis, clinicians should balance the intended benefits of MPH with potential growth effects in this vulnerable population. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2009;52:39–43. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
  Pediatric Blood & Cancer 12/2008; 52(1):39 - 43. · 1.89 Impact Factor