Nutritional Status in Childhood Cancer Survivors with Solid Tumors: A
Longitudinal Study
Abstract
Background: Malnutrition (under and overnutrition) occurs in children
with solid tumors and has been linked with adverse outcomes during and
after treatment. Assessment of nutritional status (NS) can be
challenging due to large tumor burdens, atypical growth patterns and
different methods for assessing NS. Methods: Retrospective longitudinal
study of children with solid tumors (n=61). Anthropometric data assessed
[(diagnosis, after diagnosis (1.5, 3, 6 and 12 months, 5 years), end
of treatment (EOT), initial cancer survivorship program (CSP) visit].
Registered dietitian nutritionist nutritional assessment (NA) during
treatment and Intensity of Treatment Rating (ITR) documented. Results:
At diagnosis, prevalence of undernutrition [(Z-score -1.0 to -2.99)]
and overnutrition (Z-score ≥ +2.0) were 13.8% and 8.6%, respectively;
weight status categories, 8.6%, 6.9%/13.8% were underweight,
overweight/obese, respectively. Weight loss and decreased weight-for-age
Z-score (WAZ) occurred in 31.9% and 74.5% patients, respectively, at
1.5 months. At EOT, compared to diagnosis, WAZ and height-for-age
Z-score (HAZ) decreased and BMIZ increased. From EOT to CSP visit,
overweight/obesity doubled, 7.7%/5.8% and 15.2/11.9%, respectively.
Thirty-one percent of patients received a NA, occurring at lowest WAZ.
Over 50% had ITR of level 3 or 4 and 88.9% had NA in level 4.
Conclusions: Suboptimal NS continues at diagnosis, during treatment and
survivorship. Normalized measures, accounting for expected growth,
should be used instead of raw numbers. More than one nutrition indicator
will identify atypical growth patterns and a proactive approach would
help prevent malnutrition. Evidence based research is essential and
collaboration necessary to meet the needs of this population.