A Systematic Review of Telehealth-Based Pediatric Cancer Rehabilitation Interventions on Disability.

Background: Telehealth is an emerging method which may overcome barriers to rehabilitation access for pediatric cancer survivors (aged ≤19 years). This systematic review aimed to examine telehealth-based rehabilitation interventions aimed at preventing, maintaining, or improving disability in pediatric cancer survivors. Methods: We performed systematic searches in Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, Cochrane Library, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and CINAHL Plus between 1994 and 2022. Eligible studies included telehealth-based interventions assessing disability outcomes in pediatric cancers. Results: Database searches identified 4,040 records. Nine unique interventions met the eligibility criteria. Telehealth delivery methods included telephone (n = 6), email (n = 3), mobile health applications (n = 3), social media (n = 3), videoconferencing (n = 2), text messaging (n = 2), active video gaming (n = 2), and websites (n = 2). Interventions focused on physical activity (n = 8) or self-management (n = 1). Outcomes assessing disability varied (n = 6). Three studies reported statistically and clinically significant results. Narrative synthesis of findings was constructed based on the Picker's principles for patient-centered care: (1) values, preferences, and needs; (2) involve family and friends; (3) coordination of care; (4) provide social support; (5) holistic well-being; and (6) information and communication. Conclusions: Telehealth-based rehabilitation interventions for pediatric cancer survivors is an emerging research area with potential to improve disability outcomes. Adequately powered trials with consistency in disability outcome measures are warranted. Additional research is needed to determine the effectiveness and best practices for telehealth-based pediatric cancer rehabilitation.

Utilization and Cost of Outpatient Rehabilitation Services for Pediatric Patients Treated for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Using a Commercial Claims Database.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the temporal trends and factors associated with outpatient rehabilitation utilization and costs for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). DESIGN: Deidentified administrative claims data and longitudinal health information on patients representing a mixture of ages, ethnicities, and geographic regions across the United States were accessed using Optum Labs Data Warehouse. Regression models were constructed to assess associations of outpatient rehabilitation with age, sex, race and ethnicity, year of diagnosis, and region. SETTING: Outpatient rehabilitation. PARTICIPANTS: 1000 Patients aged 1-30 years with a new diagnosis of ALL between 1993 and 2017 and continuous insurance coverage (N=1000). INTERVENTION: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Outpatient rehabilitation service utilization and cost based on reimbursed charge codes, summarized over 36 months after cancer diagnosis. RESULTS: In 1000 patients, utilization of outpatient rehabilitation services increased from 20% in 1993-2002 to 55% in 2013-2017. In the earliest era examined, physical and/or occupational therapy was provided to 18% and increased to 54% in the latest years. Speech service utilization remained between 5%-8% across timepoints. Inflation-adjusted cost for provision of services did not change significantly across time and remained low, accounting for a median of 1.3% (Q1, Q3 0.3, 3.4) of total treatment cost in 1993-2002 and decreasing to a median 0.4% (Q1, Q3, 0.1, 1.0) in 2013-2017. Age 1 to 5 years at ALL diagnosis was associated with increased rehabilitation visit number and cost, and treatment in the Midwest was associated with increased likelihood of outpatient rehabilitation service utilization compared to other geographic regions. CONCLUSIONS: Outpatient rehabilitation services are being increasingly provided to patients with ALL at a relatively low cost per patient, yet geographic variability in care utilization is evident. These services do not add excessively to the overall cost of leukemia care and thus cost containment should not be an excuse to limit access.

Risk Factors for Tube Feeding at Discharge in Infants Undergoing Neonatal Surgery for Congenital Heart Disease: A Systematic Review.

Approximately 30-50% of infants undergoing neonatal surgery for congenital heart disease (CHD) cannot meet oral feeding goals by discharge and require feeding tube support at home. Feeding tubes are associated with increased readmission rates and consequent hospital, payer, and family costs, and are a burden for family caregivers. Identification of modifiable risk factors for oral feeding problems could support targeted care for at-risk infants. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review is to determine risk factors for tube feeding at discharge in infants undergoing neonatal surgery for CHD. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, a search was conducted using MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Studies published before 2010 were excluded. The search resulted in 607 records, of which 18 were included. Studies were primarily retrospective cohort designs and results were often inconsistent. Study quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Tools. As a group, the studies exhibited substantial risk for bias. Based on the findings, infants who struggle with feeding preoperatively, experience increased nil per os duration and/or low oral feeding volume postoperatively, experience increased duration of mechanical ventilation, or have vocal cord dysfunction may be at risk for tube feeding at hospital discharge. Factors warranting further examination include cardiac physiology (e.g., aortic arch obstruction) and the relationship between neurodevelopment and oral feeding. Clinicians should use caution in assuming risk for an individual and prioritize early implementation of interventions that facilitate oral feeding development.

Wayfinding through the "ocean of the great unknown": how lactating parents establish a direct breastfeeding relationship with an infant with critical CHD.

INTRODUCTION: Lactating parents of infants hospitalised for critical congenital heart disease (CHD) face significant barriers to direct breastfeeding. While experiences of directly breastfeeding other hospitalised neonates have been described, studies including infants with critical CHD are scarce. There is no evidence-based standard of direct breastfeeding care for these infants, and substantial practice variation exists. AIM: To explain how direct breastfeeding is established with an infant hospitalised for critical CHD, from lactating parents' perspectives. MATERIALS & METHODS: This study is a qualitative grounded dimensional analysis of interviews with 30 lactating parents of infants with critical CHD who directly breastfed within 3 years. Infants received care from 26 United States cardiac centres; 57% had single ventricle physiology. Analysis included open, axial, and selective coding; memoing; member checking; and explanatory matrices. RESULTS: Findings were represented by a conceptual model, "Wayfinding through the 'ocean of the great unknown'." The core process of Wayfinding involved a nonlinear trajectory requiring immense persistence in navigating obstacles, occurring in a context of life-and-death consequences for the infant. Wayfinding was characterised by three subprocesses: navigating the relationship with the healthcare team; protecting the direct breastfeeding relationship; and doing the long, hard work. Primary influencing conditions included relentless concern about weight gain, the infant's clinical course, and the parent's previous direct breastfeeding experience. CONCLUSIONS: For parents, engaging in the Wayfinding process to establish direct breastfeeding was feasible and meaningful - though challenging. The conceptual model of Wayfinding explains how direct breastfeeding can be established and provides a framework for research and practice.

CREATE Childhood Cancer Rehabilitation Program development: Increase access through interprofessional collaboration.

BACKGROUND: Cancer and its treatment can lead to functional limitations affecting ongoing development in children and adolescents. We developed a pediatric cancer rehabilitation program that integrates evidence-based rehabilitative care into cancer treatment. The program utilizes the CREATE (collaboration, rehabilitation/research, education, assessment, treatment, evaluation) Childhood Cancer Rehabilitation model. We aim to describe the structural and process components of our rehabilitation program and provide an access and utilization analysis. PROCEDURES: To evaluate the rehabilitation program, we identified new patients with oncologic diagnoses from 2002 to 2019 using our database. To evaluate rehabilitative care, descriptive data, including the timing and type of rehabilitation services utilized within 5 years of a child's diagnosis, were collected and reviewed. Statistical analysis focused on change over time. RESULTS: Among 1974 children assessed, 1580 (80.0%) received care from at least one rehabilitation service. Between 2002 and 2018, the percentage of children receiving rehabilitation services grew significantly throughout all disciplines, except for outpatient speech-language pathology. Utilization differed by age and diagnosis. Integrating therapists in the clinic improved patient access, reduced the time to access outpatient services, and increased the number of attended visits. Additional factors supporting program growth included: identifying leaders, using a prospective surveillance model, education, and program evaluation. CONCLUSION: A multimodal interprofessional approach, such as the CREATE model, improves access to and the efficiency of evidence-based rehabilitation services promoting recovery, ongoing development, and quality of life.

Improving body function and minimizing activity limitations in pediatric leukemia survivors: The lasting impact of the Stoplight Program.

BACKGROUND: After acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment, children can have persistent muscle weakness, range of motion limitations, and decreased function after treatment. The Stoplight Program (SLP), a proactive physical therapy intervention, was administered as the standard of care during ALL treatment to prevent and minimize these impairments. The purpose of this follow-up study was to measure body function and activity limitations in ALL survivors who completed the SLP and compare them to a pre-SLP control group, thus evaluating the longer term impact of the SLP. PROCEDURE: Two cohorts of survivors of pediatric ALL ages 5 to 18 years were assessed 18 to 24 months after completing ALL treatment. Measurements included both the body coordination subtest and the strength and agility subtest of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, active dorsiflexion range of motion (ADROM), and physical activity by self-report. RESULTS: The control group and SLP group did not differ in size (n = 15), mean age (9 years), or time off ALL treatment (20 months). The SLP group had better scale scores for bilateral coordination (P = 0.05), running speed/agility (P < 0.01), and strength (P = 0.01). The number of survivors with 5 degrees or greater of ADROM (right) was significantly greater in the SLP group. ADROM had a positive correlation with strength/agility standard score in the combined survivor group. CONCLUSION: The SLP is a proactive physical therapy intervention that continues to positively impact children after treatment. Referral to physical therapy should be the standard to optimize long-term function.

Switching to Bortezomib may Improve Recovery From Severe Vincristine Neuropathy in Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of switching patients being treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) from vincristine to bortezomib. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 20 patients with ALL were switched from vincristine to bortezomib (1.3 mg/m/dose) because of worsening neuropathy despite physical therapy interventions (n=18) or at increased risk of neuropathy (n=2). Relapse rates were compared with 56 vincristine-only patients matched by prognostic factors. Maintenance blood counts in bortezomib patients were compared with cooperative group data using vincristine during maintenance. In addition, 6 evaluable patients were assessed for neuropathy using the pediatric-modified total neuropathy score. Neuropathy scores were collected during treatment with vincristine and after switching to bortezomib. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 3.5 years the relapse rate in patients switched to bortezomib was nonsignificantly different than those remaining on vincristine. Patients on monthly bortezomib had statistically significantly lower platelet counts that did not require transfusions or dose adjustment. Total neuropathy for all 6 cases decreased significantly when switched to bortezomib from vincristine (P=0.015), with motor neuropathy declines in 5 of 6 subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Bortezomib substitution for vincristine in ALL treatment is a potential strategy to mitigate severe vincristine neuropathy. These findings should be confirmed in a randomized clinical trial to further assess benefits and risks of this approach.

Short-Term Recovery of Balance Control: Association With Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Pediatric Oncology.

PURPOSE: To describe the incidence and short-term recovery of balance control in children and adolescents receiving neurotoxic treatment for noncentral nervous system cancers and to investigate the association of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and balance control. METHODS: Sixty-five children and adolescents diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, or other solid tumors were tested 3 to 6 months into treatment and 3 and 6 months following treatment using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Balance Subscale and Pediatric Modified Total Neuropathy Scale scores of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). RESULTS: Seventy-eight percent of the participants scored 1 standard deviation or more below population means on the balance subscale while on treatment, and this improved to 53% by 6 months posttreatment, with the leukemia group performing worse at both time points. On-treatment balance scores were moderately associated with motor CIPN, while at 6 months posttreatment they were more closely associated with sensory CIPN. CONCLUSIONS: Mild to moderate balance impairments improve but can persist, even when CIPN has improved, 6 months after treatment for childhood cancer.

Physical Therapist Coaching to Improve Physical Activity in Children With Brain Tumors: A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: Children with brain tumors (BTs) experience fatigue and decreased quality of life (QOL). Physical activity (PA) is recommended during and after cancer treatment. We explored whether a fitness tracker intervention combined with tailored coaching by a physical therapist (PT) increased PA and QOL and decreased fatigue in children with BTs. METHODS: Participants were 7 to 18 years' old, within 2 years of diagnosis, and received a 12-week PA intervention using a fitness tracker combined with 5 PT coaching sessions. Steps/day measured by Fitbit and self-reports of QOL, fatigue, and PA were evaluated at baseline, 12 weeks, and 24 weeks. RESULTS: Participants had nonsignificant increase in steps/day. Total fatigue, general, and sleep/rest subscales improved while cognitive fatigue and QOL remained unchanged. Higher steps/day were associated with lower fatigue. CONCLUSION: This is a feasible intervention that may contribute to an increase in PA and improve fatigue in children with BTs.

Short-term recovery of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy after treatment for pediatric non-CNS cancer.

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a frequent side effect of pediatric cancer treatment. The presentation of CIPN, trajectory and completeness of recovery over the first 6 months postchemotherapy, and the influence of patient and treatment characteristics on recovery are described. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-seven children and adolescents treated for non-CNS cancers were evaluated for CIPN using the pediatric modified total neuropathy score (ped-mTNS) while on treatment and 3 and 6 months postchemotherapy. Differences between diagnostic groups and treatment type were evaluated as well as change in scores over time. Risk factors for on-treatment and persistent CIPN at 6 months were identified. RESULTS: Overall, ped-mTNSs were in the abnormal range for 86.5% during treatment and scores decreased over time (initial 9.3 ± 0.6, 6 months 4.3 ± 0.4; F = 38.14, P < 0.001). By 6 months posttreatment, mean scores and percentage of children with abnormal scores were reduced to 2.4 ± 0.3 and 11.5%, respectively, in the ALL group, but remained higher at 5.7 ± 0.7 and 57%, respectively, for lymphoma, and 5.2 ± 1.0 and 60%, respectively, for other solid tumors. At 6 months posttreatment, light touch deficits and foot strength deficits remained in 19.4 and 59.7%, respectively, compared with only 4.9 and 9.8% of the control population. Subjects who were older at exposure, female, or who received etoposide in addition to vincristine were at higher risk for on-treatment CIPN. On-treatment sensory abnormalities were associated with increased risk of persistent CIPN. CONCLUSION: While CIPN improves in most pediatric patients, significant numbers, especially those treated for lymphoma or other solid tumors, have remaining neuropathic signs and symptoms 6 months posttreatment.

Use of a Fitness Tracker to Promote Physical Activity in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Children with cancer identify fatigue as a pervasive symptom, which increases during the corticosteroid pulse in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) maintenance. The FitBit is a fitness tracker that downloads activity measurements to the Internet in real time. In this feasibility study, we explored if children who received daily FitBit coaching for 2 weeks before a maintenance steroid pulse had an increase in steps per day and determined the relationship between steps per day prepulse and fatigue postpulse. PROCEDURE: Seventeen children in ALL maintenance, aged 6-15, wore the FitBit for 3 days to establish a baseline. A tailored weekly step goal was then set with the child and parent. Daily emails with feedback and FitBit screenshots were sent over the 2-week intervention. Self-report of fatigue was measured at baseline, after 2 weeks (i.e. before the steroid pulse), and after 5 days of steroids. RESULTS: There was a trend toward increased steps per day from weeks 1-2 (P = 0.079); fatigue was low and did not increase during the corticosteroid pulse. A significant correlation (r = -0.66, P = 0.005) was found between the steps per day during week 2 and fatigue after the steroid pulse with higher steps associated with lower fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: The intervention was feasible in this small sample. The average steps each time period (week 1, week 2, and during steroids) was over 10,000, demonstrating that children with ALL can be active during treatment. Physical activity may be protective of fatigue during a corticosteroid pulse.

Gait Patterns in Children With Cancer and Vincristine Neuropathy.

PURPOSE: Children treated with vincristine often develop chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), but effects of CIPN on gait have not been reported. METHODS: Gait variables of 52 children/adolescents treated for non-central nervous system cancers with CIPN were compared with an age- and sex-matched control group. Gait data were collected via GaitRite walkway before and after completing a 6-minute walk test (6MWT). Ankle range-of-motion (ROM) measures, balance, and strength tests were also completed. RESULTS: Participants with CIPN had decreased velocity and step length. Ankle ROM and balance explained variability in step length. Both groups increased self-selected velocity after the 6MWT, but participants with cancer walked with slower velocity, shorter step length, and decreased cadence. Strength, neuropathy, and self-selected velocity measured before the 6MWT explained variability in 6MWT scores. CONCLUSIONS: Ankle ROM and balance are important factors when treating step length deficits, whereas strength is also an important consideration for walking capacity.

Effect of an Ankle Foot Orthosis Intervention for Children With Non-Central Nervous System Cancers: A Pilot Study.

PURPOSE: Children with cancer are at risk for physical performance limitations. In this pilot study we investigated the feasibility and initial efficacy of an ankle foot orthosis (AFO) in children with non-central nervous system cancer with peripheral weakness. METHODS: Participants included children aged 5 to 11 years diagnosed with cancer. Children wore AFOs for 1 cycle of chemotherapy. Pre- and postintervention adverse events, adherence, gait, strength, range of motion, activity, and fatigue were measured. RESULTS: Six of 7 children completed the study; none of the 7 reported adverse events. Positive trends were observed in step length (46.23-49.25 cm), dorsiflexion strength (19.25-24.50 lb), ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (0.5-8°), and activity (7850-9857 epochs). Negative trends observed included cadence and fatigue ratings. No change was observed in the 6-minute walk or parent-reported fatigue. CONCLUSIONS: An AFO intervention is feasible in children with cancer. Initial efficacy results warrant further study.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on utilization and cost for care of pediatric and young adult ALL.

OBJECTIVE: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood malignancy and among the most common malignancies in young adults and requires a unique pattern of healthcare utilization including an acute/emergent presentation and an intensive initial 8 months of therapy followed by two years of outpatient treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic caused massive global disruptions in healthcare use and delivery. This report aims to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation, diagnosis and continued management of childhood and young adult ALL in regard to utilization and cost of care among commercially insured individuals in the United States. RESULTS: Utilizing a commercial insurance claims database, 529 pediatric and young adult patients were identified who were diagnosed with ALL between January 2016 and March 2021. New diagnoses were evaluated by era and demographics. Utilization was measured by COVID-related era as number of inpatient and outpatient encounters, inpatient days, and cumulative cost during the initial 8 months of therapy. None of these cost or utilization factors changed significantly during or shortly after the pandemic. These findings reinforce that the necessary care for pediatric and young adult ALL was unwavering despite the massive shifts in the healthcare system caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This provides a valuable benchmark as we further examine the factors that influence the pandemic's impact on health equity and access to care, especially in vulnerable pediatric and young adult populations. This is the first investigation of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on utilization and cost of care in pediatric and young adult cancer.

Healthcare cost and utilization for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in the treatment of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A commercial insurance claims database analysis.

BACKGROUND: B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the most common malignancy of childhood. With the introduction of novel cellular therapies, cost of care is a critical component and the financial burden experienced by patients and society requires evaluation. AIMS: This study aims to assess the utilization and cost of care for chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy for pediatric ALL patients with commercial insurance coverage in the United States. METHODS AND RESULTS: Using de-identified commercial insurance data from the OptumLabs® Data Warehouse, a cohort of 37 patients, aged 1-25 years, with B-ALL treated with CAR-T therapy between Oct 2016 and Dec 2021 in the United States was identified. Cost was evaluated for a 90 day period encompassing CAR-T infusion and by administration and complication characteristics. Among the 37 identified B-ALL patients that received a CAR-T product infusion, 14 patients were female, median age at administration was 13 years. The median 90-day total cost was $620,500 (Mean: $589,108). Inpatient cost accounted for approximately 71% of the total cost with an average of 28 inpatient days per patient. Although inpatient cost was slightly higher in the older age group (aged 10-25 years) and in patients with a code for cytokine release syndrome (CRS), these differences were not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: This real-world cost analysis shows for the first time the encompassing cost of CAR-T therapy for pediatric B-ALL patients in the US with commercial insurance. This study provides a valuable benchmark that can be used to analyze the financial implications of CAR-T therapy for pediatric B-ALL therapy on health systems.

The pediatric-modified total neuropathy score: a reliable and valid measure of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in children with non-CNS cancers.

BACKGROUND: Neurotoxicity is a common side-effect of cancer treatment, but no scales have been validated for the pediatric population. The objective of this study was to test the reliability and validity of the pediatric modified-Total Neuropathy Scale (ped-mTNS) to measure chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in school-aged children. METHODS: Forty-one subjects aged 5-18 years undergoing chemotherapy with vincristine or cisplatin and 41 age- and gender-matched controls completed study measures. Subjects were tested with the ped-mTNS at a specified time during treatment. Standardized measures of balance and hand function were completed concurrently. Internal consistency of the ped-mTNS was evaluated using Chronbach's alpha. Validity was tested by comparing case and control ped-mTNS scores as well as testing the hypothesis that ped-mTNS scores would be associated with scores on tests of balance and manual dexterity. Inter-rater and test-retest reliability were each assessed in a subset of 10 subjects. RESULTS: Twenty-three subjects with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, six with lymphoma, and 12 with solid tumors completed measures along with 41 age- and gender-matched controls. Internal consistency was acceptable with a Chronbach's alpha of 0.76. Children undergoing treatment for cancer had significantly worse scores on the ped-mTNS compared to controls (subjects, 8.7 ± 4.2; controls, 1.4 ± 0.9; p < 0.001). As hypothesized, scores on the ped-mTNS were associated with measures of balance and manual dexterity. Inter-rater and test-retest reliability was acceptable (intraclass correlation coefficients >0.9 each). CONCLUSIONS: The ped-mTNS is a reliable and valid measure of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in school-aged children that is associated with relevant functional limitations.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Utilization and Cost for Care of Pediatric ALL.

Objective: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood malignancy and requires a unique pattern of healthcare utilization including an acute/emergent presentation and an intensive initial 8 months of therapy followed by two years of outpatient treatment. The COVID-19 pandemic caused massive global disruptions in healthcare use and delivery. This report aims to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the presentation, diagnosis and continued management of childhood ALL in regard to utilization and cost of care. Results: Utilizing a commercial insurance claims database, 529 pediatric patients were identified who were diagnosed with ALL and completed their initial 8 months of treatment between January 2016 and December 2021. New diagnoses were evaluated by era and demographics. Utilization was measured by COVID-related era as number of inpatient and outpatient encounters, inpatient days, and cumulative cost. None of these cost or utilization factors changed significantly during or shortly after the pandemic. These findings reinforce that the necessary care for pediatric ALL is largely inflexible and was unwavering despite the massive shifts in the healthcare system caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This provides a valuable benchmark as we further examine the factors that influence the pandemic's impact on health equity and access to care, especially in vulnerable pediatric populations. This is the first investigation of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on utilization and cost of care in pediatric cancer.

Real-World Cost of Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Care Among Commercially Insured Individuals in the United States: Effect of Era and Age at Diagnosis.

PURPOSE: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common pediatric malignancy. Five-year survival is approaching 90%. In efforts to further improve outcomes, it is critical to consider the cost of ALL care. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Commercial insurance data from OptumLabs Data Warehouse were used to identify patients with ALL, age 1-30 years, diagnosed in 1993-2017 in the United States, with 36 months of continuous insurance coverage. Patients treated with hematopoietic cell transplantation were excluded. Inpatient and outpatient utilization and cumulative reimbursements (inflation-adjusted to December 2020) were computed 8 and 36 months from diagnosis and stratified by age (1-9, 10-12, and ≥ 13 years) as proxies for National Cancer Institute risk groups. Regression models were constructed to assess associations with demographic and clinical characteristics. RESULTS: Among 927 patients (median age, 6 years; interquartile range, 3-12 years; 43% female), individuals age ≥ 10 years had 23-25 more inpatient days and 22 more outpatient encounters compared with younger patients. The 36-month median cost was $394,000 (USD) (interquartile range, $256,000-$695,000 [USD]), and 64% of the total cost was incurred during the initial 8 months. The 36-month cost was 1.5-fold higher for those age 10-12 years and 1.7-fold higher for those age ≥ 13 years compared with 1-9 years. The cost for those diagnosed in 2013-2017 was 70% higher compared with 1993-2002, and was not different on the basis of sex, race, or ethnicity. CONCLUSION: Older age was associated with higher utilization and cost, and the cost of treatment increased significantly over time. These data provide valuable benchmarks for future studies examining the cost-benefit of ALL therapy modifications.