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Pre-existing malnutrition and treatment outcome in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
Atta-ur-Rehman Khan1, Moeen-ul-Haq Sheikh, Kiran Intekhab
1Department of Ancillary Health Services, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore.
Insights
Pre-existing malnutrition negatively impacts treatment outcomes for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). Malnourished children had significantly lower survival and higher mortality rates compared to well-nourished children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Hematology
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a common childhood cancer.
- Nutritional status is a critical factor in treatment efficacy for various diseases.
- The impact of pre-existing malnutrition on ALL treatment outcomes in pediatric patients requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the association between pre-existing malnutrition and treatment outcomes in pediatric ALL patients.
- To compare treatment completion, relapse rates, and survival in malnourished versus well-nourished children with ALL.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 163 pediatric patients (under 14 years) with L1/L2 FAB morphology ALL was studied.
- Patients were classified as under-nourished (UNC) or well-nourished (WNC) using Waterlow classifications.
- Treatment outcomes including completion, relapse, and mortality were analyzed for both groups.
Main Results:
- Under-nourished children (UNC) had a 46% treatment completion rate and a 45% mortality rate.
- Well-nourished children (WNC) demonstrated a 59% treatment completion rate and a 19% mortality rate.
- Relapse rates were 9.8% in UNC and 21.3% in WNC, with overall survival being lower in the malnourished group.
Conclusions:
- Pre-existing malnutrition is a significant adverse prognostic factor in pediatric ALL.
- Addressing malnutrition may improve treatment outcomes and survival rates in children with ALL.
- Further research into nutritional interventions for pediatric ALL patients is warranted.
Objective:
To assess the effects of pre-existing malnutrition on the treatment outcome of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Methods:
One hundred and sixty three patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) below the age of 14 years with L1 and L2 FAB morphology were included in this study. Treatment protocol used was FBM. Patients were classified according to Waterlow classifications of malnutrition (1976). Group-I, as Under-Nourished children (UNC) and Group-II as Well-nourished children (WNC). Percentages in both groups were calculated with respect to total expired, relapses and completed treatment.
Results:
In Group-I (UNC) 46% completed treatment and were alive, 9.8% relapsed and 45% expired. In Group-II (WNC) 59% completed treatment and were alive, 21.3% relapsed and 19% expired. Overall, in WNC group 13.5% completed treatment and were alive, 8% relapsed and 7.3% expired. In UNC group 28.8% completed treatment and were alive, 6% relapsed and 27% expired.
Conclusion:
Pre-Existing malnutrition adversely effects the treatment outcome in children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).
