The evaluation of nutritional status disorders as a state of overweight and hyperlipidemia in children with cancer

Abstract

A i m  o f  s t u d y . The assessment of nutritional status with a special attention towards overweight by anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameters of lipids in children with cancer.

Ma t e r i a l  a n d  m e t h o d s . In a retrospective group data of 122 patients’ treatment history were analyzed. The patients were treated in our hospital in previous years and their weight and height were studied. In a prospective group 62 newly diagnosed children with cancer were examined. The additional anthropometric measurements were included in the research like skinfolds thickness and middle arm circumference and biochemical lipids date were taken. The data were analyzed three times: at the diagnosis, during the oncological treatment and after the intensive chemotherapy.

R e s u l t s . In a retrospective group, after the oncological treatment the number of children with overweight increased: M/W>90 ile 6.6%, BMI >90 ile 6.6%, %IBW above 110% 25.5%, Cole’a index above 110% 21.3% , whereas the number of children with height > 90 ile decreased to 6.6%. At the beginning, in a prospective group the number of children with overweight was three times higher-11.3%. 26.2% patients had abnormal level of triglicerydes at diagnosis and 30.4% after treatment. Above 50% of patients had abnormal level of HDL cholesterol during the whole treatment.

C o n c l u s i o n s . Children with cancer belong to the group of risk for obesity and hyperlipidemia during the oncological treatment and it may impact on treatment and outcomes and also have serious medical consequence to the health state in future.