Effect of hypoproteinemia on treatment outcome in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Malnutrition is prevalent on large scale in hospitalized patients which increases morbidity and mortality, reduces the effectiveness of medical treatment in our hospitals and impairs the quality of life significantly. Early diagnosis and treatment of malnutrition is gaining the significance day by day. A prospective study was carried out to assess the effects of hypoproteinemia malnutrition on the treatment outcome of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. One hundred and sixty three patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia [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 Well-Nourished children [WNC] and Group-II as Mal-nourished children [MNC]. Percentages in both groups were found out with respect to total expired, Relapses and completed treatment. In Group-I [WNC] 50 [81.96%] completed treatment and alive, 5 [8.19%] relapsed and 6 [9.8%] expired. In Group-II [MNC] 31[30.39%] completed treatment and alive,8 [7.84%] relapsed and 63 [61.76%] expired. Overall, in WNC group-I 50[30.67%] completed treatment and alive, 5 [3.07%] relapsed and 6[3.68%] expired. In MNC group-II 31 [19.02%] completed treatment and alive, 8 [4.91%] relapsed and 63 [38.65%] expired. Hypoproteinemia affects treatment outcome in children with acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Pre existing malnutrition and treatment outcome in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

To assess the effects of pre-existing malnutrition on the treatment outcome of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia. 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. 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. Pre-Existing malnutrition adversely effects the treatment outcome in children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia [ALL]

Does weight for age have prognostic significance in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia?

To assess the effects of nutrition status [Weight for Age] of leukemic children on the treatment outcome. A prospective study from May, 1996 to June, 1999. Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore. One hundred patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia [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 found out with respect to total expired, Relpses and completed treatment. In Group-I [UNC] 44.5% completed treatment and are alive, 9.5% relapsed and 46% expired. In Group-II [WNC] 59.5% completed treatment and are alive, 5.5% relapsed and 35% expired. Overall, in WNC group 22% completed treatment and are alive, 2% relapsed and 13% expired. In UNC group 28% completed treatment and are alive, 6% relapsed and 29% expired. Our data was not significant [P=0.791] to prove the hypothesis that the malnutrition [Anthropometrical] adversely effects the treatment outcome in Pakistani children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia [ALL]. Weight for age does not has prognostic significance in children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia [ALL] and should not be considered as prognostic factor