Body composition in children in remission from acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
BACKGROUND
Changes in body composition are commonly reported in pediatric survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). However, the effect of ALL and of its treatment on body composition in children in remission from ALL has not been fully examined with the use of a reference method.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to determine the body composition and composition of fat-free mass (FFM) in children in remission from ALL. We also aimed to compare the effects that prednisolone and dexamethasone had on the body composition of an ALL survivor population.


METHODS
This cross-sectional study measured height, weight, body volume, total body water, and bone mineral content in 24 children in remission from ALL and 24 age-matched, healthy control subjects. Body composition and FFM composition were evaluated by using the 4-component model.


RESULTS
The mean body mass index and fat mass index were significantly (P = 0.05 for both) higher in the ALL survivors than in age-matched control subjects. The composition of the FFM in the 2 treatment groups was not observed to differ significantly. Examination of the composition of FFM made it evident that children in remission from ALL had both significantly greater hydration (P = 0.001) and lower density (P = 0.0001) of FFM than did the control children.


CONCLUSIONS
Children in remission from ALL may develop excess body fat. To measure body composition accurately in an ALL population, the high hydration and low density of FFM in this population should be taken into consideration.
Murphy
Alexia J
AJ
Children's Nutrition Research Centre, Discipline of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Queensland, Royal Children's Hospital, Herston, Australia. alexia.murphy@uq.edu.au
Wells
Jonathan C K
JC
Williams
Jane E
JE
Fewtrell
Mary S
MS
Davies
Peter S W
PS
Webb
David K
DK
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism*; D001823:Body Composition / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003903:Deuterium; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism*; D010991:Plethysmography; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012074:Remission Induction
D003907:Dexamethasone; D011239:Prednisolone; D003903:Deuterium