Nutritional status at diagnosis of children with malignancies in Casablanca

Abstract

Introduction Nutritional assessment is an essential component of the initial assessment of children with cancer. Malnutrition may be present at diagnosis due to the effects of the malignancy or, in low income countries (LIC), due to poverty and an inadequate diet. Purpose The aim of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of malnutrition at diagnosis in children with cancer in Morocco. Procedure Nutritional status of 100 children aged less than 18 years with newly diagnosed malignancy between January 2005 and January 2006 was evaluated by anthropometric and biochemical parameters before initiating therapy. We measured weight, height, weight-for-height using z-scores index for children and body mass index for adolescents, triceps skinfold thickness and mid-upper arm circumference, and serum albumin. Results A total of 100 patients were included. The mean age was 7 years (range 1 to 18 years). Sixty percent were boys. The diagnosis was: Burkitt lymphoma (n=19), acute myeloblastic leukaemia (n=18), acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (n=14), rhabdomyosarcoma (n=13), Ewing sarcoma (n=7), nephroblastoma (n=6), Hodgkin disease (n=5), osteosarcoma (n=5), retinoblastoma (n=4), neuroblastoma (n=3), germ cell tumor (n=3), orbital lymphoma (n=1), cerebral lymphoma (n=1), ependymoma (n=1). Incidence of malnutrition ranged from 20–50%, depending upon the measurement used. Conclusion The prevalence of malnutrition in this study was high, so interventions are being implemented to improve the nutritional status of these patients.

Effects of malnutrition on treatment‐related morbidity and survival of children with cancer in Nicaragua

“…The observed differences in nutritional status associated with cancer type were consistent with literature that demonstrates that malnutrition at diagnosis is most frequent among patients with solid tumors, especially Wilms tumor or neuroblastoma, and those with AML or myelodysplastic syndrome, and least frequent in ALL and Hodgkin lymphoma, though not reaching statistical significance most likely due to small sample size. Prevalence of malnutrition in patients with newly diagnosed BL was similar to that in patients with AML and should also be considered among the most at risk groups.…”

“…Cancer confers an additional risk of malnutrition due to increased metabolic rate, anorexia, inflammation, and altered physical activity . Studies in Central America, Morocco, and Malawi have demonstrated high rates of malnutrition (20–59%) in children at the time of cancer diagnosis . Moreover, malnutrition varies widely by disease type.…”

“…18 Studies in Central America, Morocco, and Malawi have demonstrated high rates of malnutrition (20-59%) in children at the time of cancer diagnosis. 10,11,15,19,20 Moreover, malnutrition varies widely by disease type. In Central America, Sala et al found that the proportion of underweight patients varied significantly by type of cancer, keeping with findings in high-income countries.…”

The efficacy and toxicity of SIOP preoperative chemotherapy in Malawian children with a Wilms tumour

“…About half of the Malawian patients in a previous study were severely, acutely malnourished [4,5]. Malnutrition reduces immunity to infections and in patients with Burkitt lymphoma is associated with more severe chemotherapy-related toxicity, especially neutropenia [6][7][8].…”

Peningkatan Sensitivitas Dua Kali Uji Tuberkulin untuk Mendeteksi Infeksi Tuberkulosis pada Anak dengan Penyakit Keganasan

“…Penelitian Tazi dkk, 15 mengenai status nutrisi pada saat anak terdiagnosis penyakit keganasan di Casablanca, melaporkan 33% anak dengan malnutrisi. Malnutrisi pada pasien dengan kanker dapat berkaitan dengan beberapa faktor, yaitu keganasan itu sendiri, terapi, kondisi sosial ekonomi, intake makanan, energy expanditure, absorbsi nutrien dan metabolisme dan berbagai komplikasi mengenai mukosa oral, maupun saluran cerna yang dapat berpengaruh terhadap status nutrisi pada anak dengan keganasan.…”