| Abstract [eng] |
Introduction. Survival rates of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia differ among age groups, with the best prognosis observed in children aged 1-9 years. Being underweight or obese may influence treatment-related complications and worse outcomes. Glucocorticoids used in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treatment can aggravate weight gain. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse change in body mass index during acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treatment (till the end of delayed intensification) among different age groups. Methods. 45 consecutive patients were included in the retrospective observational cohort study. All patients were diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2019-2022 and stratified into age groups: 1-5, 6-11, and 12-17 years. Results. At diagnosis, one (2.2%) child had a low, and one (2.2%) had a high body mass index. After delayed intensification, five (11.1%) children had a high body mass index, and none were underweight. Children aged 1-5 years had an increase in body mass index during induction and delayed intensification, while between these phases, weight decreased. However, these changes were not statistically significant. Body mass index in the 6-11 age group was stable until delayed intensification when it increased significantly (p=0.002). In the 12-17 age group, a statistically significant decrease (p=0.007) in induction and an increase from the beginning of the second consolidation (p=0.002) was observed. Conclusion. During treatment, all children eventually gained weight. However, at first, only preschool children had an increase in body mass index, while 12-17 years children lost weight. Timely, age-adapted nutritional interventions may help to improve the outcomes of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia patients. |
