Outlook following "somnolence syndrome" after prophylactic cranial irradiation.

Outlook following "somnolence syndrome" after prophylactic cranial irradiation The "somnolence syndrome" consists of drowsiness, lethargy, anorexia, and irritability occuring in about 600% of children six weeks after prophylactic irradiation of the central nervous system in acute leukaemia or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.1 It is associated with electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities.1 We have studied 27 children prospectively to evaluate EEG changes occurring in children after irradiation of the central nervous system. We have also attempted to correlate the occurrence of the syndrome with the fractionation of radiotherapy and with the subsequent survival and well-being of the children.