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Body Composition Analysis Using DEXA-Scan and its Correlation with Arm-Anthropometry in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic
Sanjeev Khera1, Naresh Bansal2, Amit Kumar3
1Department of Pediatrics, Army Hospital Research and Referral, Delhi, India. Correspondence to: Dr Sanjeev Khera, Classified Specialist Pediatrics, Department of Pediatrics, Army Hospital Research and Referral, Delhi, India 110010. kherakherakhera@gmail.com.
Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors often have abnormal body composition, including high adiposity and sarcopenia. Simple measurements like mid-upper-arm circumference and triceps-skin-fold thickness can reliably assess these changes.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Endocrinology
- Body Composition Analysis
Background:
- Childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (cALL) survivors face long-term health challenges.
- Body composition abnormalities are increasingly recognized in cALL survivors post-treatment.
- Early detection of altered body composition is crucial for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess body composition in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia survivors (cALLS) using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
- To correlate DEXA-derived body composition metrics with anthropometric measurements (MUAC, TSFT).
- To determine the prevalence of high adiposity, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity in cALLS.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving cALLS aged over 7 years.
- Exclusion criteria included relapse, stem cell transplantation, and neurological disabilities.
- Body composition assessed by DEXA; prevalence of high adiposity, sarcopenia, and sarcopenic obesity calculated.
Main Results:
- 61% of 59 cALLS survivors exhibited abnormal body composition.
- High adiposity (47%), sarcopenia (34%), and sarcopenic obesity (15%) were prevalent.
- MUAC and TSFT showed good correlation with DEXA-derived body composition markers.
Conclusions:
- High prevalence of deranged body composition in cALLS necessitates early and frequent screening.
- MUAC and TSFT serve as reliable and accessible surrogate measures for assessing body composition in cALLS.
- These findings highlight the need for long-term monitoring of body composition in pediatric cancer survivors.
