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Updated: Mar 13, 2026
Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Trends in Weight and Triceps Skinfold Thickness During Induction Chemotherapy for Pediatric Acute Lymphoblastic
Monica Selvan1, Jaikumar Govindaswamy Ramamoorthy2
1Departments of Pediatrics, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER), Puducherry, 605006, India.
Insights
Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) often experience weight loss and decreased skinfold thickness during chemotherapy induction. Older children are particularly at risk, with many not regaining baseline measurements by the end of treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Clinical Nutrition
- Chemotherapy Side Effects
Background:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment involves intensive chemotherapy.
- Nutritional status, including weight and skinfold thickness, can be significantly impacted during ALL induction therapy.
- Monitoring anthropometric changes is crucial for managing treatment-related complications in pediatric ALL patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate weekly changes in weight and triceps skinfold thickness (TSFT) in children undergoing induction chemotherapy for ALL.
- To identify trends and risk factors associated with weight loss and TSFT depletion during ALL induction.
Main Methods:
- Prospective follow-up of children (1 month to 15 years) with ALL during induction chemotherapy.
- Baseline and serial measurements of weight and TSFT on days 8, 15, 22, 29, and 35.
- Analysis of trends and association with treatment outcomes and patient characteristics.
Main Results:
- Weight loss (77.8%) and TSFT depletion (63.1%) were common during induction, with peak severity in the first week.
- Over half of children experiencing these changes faced treatment interruptions.
- Approximately 54% did not regain baseline weight and 42% did not regain baseline TSFT by induction completion.
- Younger children (age < 6.5 years) and those with standard risk had a lower risk of weight loss and TSFT depletion.
Conclusions:
- Older children are more susceptible to weight loss and sarcopenic wasting during ALL induction chemotherapy.
- Early identification and management of nutritional deficits are essential for optimizing treatment adherence and outcomes in pediatric ALL.
Objective:
To assess the weekly trends in weight and triceps skinfold thickness (TSFT) in children with acute lymphoblastic lymphoma (ALL) during induction chemotherapy.
Methods:
Children aged 1 month to 15 years with ALL were followed up during induction phase of chemotherapy. Weight and TSFT were recorded at baseline and on days 8, 15, 22, 29, and 35 and trends of the same were analyzed.
Results:
A total of 101 children with median (q1, q3) age 6 (3, 11) years were assessed at baseline, and 95 were assessed on day 8 of induction. The weight loss and TSFT depletion were observed in 74 (77.8%) and 60 (63.1%), respectively, at any time during induction, peaking in severity within the first week of induction therapy. Treatment interruptions were observed in 60.8% children who had weight loss and/or TSFT depletion. Almost 54% and 42% children did not regain baseline weight and TSFT by the end of induction. Standard risk and age < 6.5 years were associated with decreased risk of weight loss and TSFT depletion.
Conclusion:
Older children are prone to weight loss and sarcopenic wasting during induction phase of chemotherapy for ALL.
