Indicators of malnutrition in children with cancer: A study of 690 patients from a tertiary care cancer center.
Indian J Cancer
;
2015 Apr-June; 52(2): 199-201
Article
in English
| IMSEAR
| ID: sea-173265
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Large data pertaining to indicators of malnutrition in children with cancer is lacking from India. In view of this, we prospectively analyzed consecutive de novo childhood patients with cancer presenting at a tertiary care center. MATERIALS ANDMETHODS:
Height and weight of each child (n = 690) were compared with World Health Organization child growth standards‑2006 for that particular age and sex to get weight‑for‑age, height‑for‑age, and weight‑for‑height indices and below 2SD of the reference median on these indices were considered as underweight, stunted, and wasted, respectively. Body mass index (BMI) for age was also analyzed for thinness and obesity.RESULTS:
Prevalence of malnutrition based on Z‑score for weight‑for‑age, height‑for‑age, weight‑for‑height, and BMI‑for‑age was 30%, 31%, 35%, and 41%, respectively. Weight‑for‑age (underweight) was significantly associated (P = 0.018) with solid tumors. Height‑for‑age, weight‑for‑age, and BMI‑for‑age were significantly associated (P = 0.007, P = 0.016, and P ≤ 0.001, respectively) with rural community.CONCLUSION:
Malnutrition was observed in approximately one‑third of children with cancer. Malnutrition is associated with solid tumors and those coming from rural community. Wasting has a higher prevalence in children with cancer in <5 years of age group.
Full text:
Available
Index:
IMSEAR (South-East Asia)
Language:
English
Journal:
Indian J Cancer
Year:
2015
Type:
Article
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