Pediatrics & Therapeutics
Open Access

Abstract

Nutritional Status at Diagnosis in Children with Cancer in Brazil

Priscila dos Santos Maia-Lemos, Fernanda Luisa Ceragioli-Oliveira and Eliana Maria Monteiro-Caran

Background: In Brazil, it is estimated 10,000 new cases of cancer per year. Despite the assumed high prevalence of weight loss and malnutrition in these patients, this study was designed to evaluate the percentage of weight loss and nutritional status. Methods: We evaluated the nutritional status of 1,154 patients (0 to 19 years old) with malignant neoplasms who were seen at the outpatient clinics or were admitted to the inpatient and/or intensive care units. The anthropometric parameters used were: weight, height, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-upper arm circumference and arm muscle circumference, body mass index and percentage of weight loss. Results: At diagnosis, 67.63% of patients presented adequate BMI. The overall prevalence of malnutrition was 10.85%, 27.32%, 24.55% and 13.66%, based on BMI, TSFT, MUAC and AMC, respectively. Average weight loss was moderate to severe in all tumor groups, except for retinoblastoma and Wilms Tumor. The difference between usual reported weight and current weight was statistically significant in patients diagnosed with carcinomas, lymphomas and bone tumors. Conclusion: The prevalence of malnutrition in children with cancer, at admission, ranges between 10.85% and 27.32% for TFST and BMI.