Assessment of malnutrition in children with cancer during oncological treatment

Aim of the study . Assessment of  malnutrition status in children with cancer during  oncological treatment. Material and methods. 62 children aged from 0 to 18 years were included. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were measured: weight (W), height(H), middle arm circumference (MAC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSFT), serum albumin. Middle arm muscle circumference (MAMC) was calculated.  These variables were interpreted in accordance with Polish population percentiles charts and analyzed according AHOPCA 2004 Report. Adequately nourished- all criteria must be fulfilled: ideal body weight (IBW)≥90th percentile(ile), albumin>3,5 g/dL, weight loss 10%, TSFT and/or MAC less than 5th ile. Results. The prevalence of malnutrition at diagnosis ranged from several to nearly 50% children, depending upon the measurement used - in 22.6% of children by W, in 17.7% by H, in 19.4% by W/H ratio, in 21.0% by TSFT, in 32,3% by MAC, in 46,8% by MAMC. Hipoalbuminemia was noted in 29,0% of children. Weight loss >5% was detected in 29% of children, in 11% it was higher than 10%. At diagnosis about 37% of children were adequately nourished, 39% were depleted and 24% severely depleted. Finally, 66% of children were adequately nourished, but 14.5%  had severe malnutrition in the final examination. Conclusions. Arm anthropometry is very useful for malnutrition detection and nutritional intervention.