title: Evaluation of bone mineral density at different phases of therapy of childhood all.
abstract: In the present study the authors evaluated the status of spinal bone mineral density (BMD) using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in a group of 31 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, treated by ALL-BFM protocols without irradiation, at different phases of their treatment. These patients were studied (1) within 2 months of diagnosis (group 1, n = 17, median time postdiagnosis 17 days), (2) during chemotherapy (group 2, n = 16, median time on treatment 22 months), and (3) shortly after completion of therapy (group 3, n = 10, median time postchemotherapy 13 months). Twelve patients underwent serial measurements in either of the groups they entered (6 patients of group 1 and 6 patients of group 2). The mean cumulative prednisone dose was 0.8, 4.3, and 5 g/m2 in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. A gradual decline of BMD from group 1 through group 3 was observed. The mean value of age- and sex-specific BMD z-score was -0.74 (+/-0.32) in group 1, -1.59 (+/-0.24) in group 2, and -2.03 (+/-0.27) in group 3; there was a statistically significant difference between groups 1 and 3 (p = .022). A BMD z-score < -2 was found in 3 (17%), 4 (25%), and 5 (50%) patients of groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In conclusion, a high incidence of reduced bone mass was observed during and shortly after treatment. These findings could have significant consequences in long-term survivors.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University Hospital of Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
authors.forename: Ilianna
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Maniadaki
authors.forename: Eftichia
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stiakaki
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Germanakis
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kalmanti
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000633:toxicity*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D012737:Sex Factors; D013131:Spine
chemical_list: D011241:Prednisone