Does lack of growth hormone affect behavior in adults who had ALL in childhood?

This study wanted to look at the effect of low growth hormone (GH) on the behavior and function of adults who had acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) as children. Researchers concluded that therapy for ALL may cause low GH. They also suggest that behavioral function may be affected by treatment and not by low GH. 

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia is a common cancer of childhood. Cranial radiation therapy (CRT) is a type of treatment that stops cancer cells in the brain. It may have strong side effects. Growth hormone may be reduced by CRT. It is not known if low GH has an effect on the behavior and function of adult survivors of childhood ALL. 

571 patients were included in this study. All patients were adult survivors of childhood ALL. They completed tests which measured behavior, mental function, and quality of life.

298 (52%) were found to have low GH. These patients also received a higher dose of CRT. Patients with low GH had more speech and language problems. They also had a lower quality of life compared to those who did not have low GH. Low GH was linked with effects on mental and physical health. CRT dose was linked with behavior and functional problems. 

The study concluded that adult survivors of childhood ALL were at risk of low GH, function, and quality of life after high dose CRT.

Growth hormone was not assessed during childhood in these patients. This may have affected results.