Pre-existing malnutrition and treatment outcome in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the effects of pre-existing malnutrition on the treatment outcome of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.


METHODS
One hundred and sixty three patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) below the age of 14 years with L1 and L2 FAB morphology were included in this study. Treatment protocol used was FBM. Patients were classified according to Waterlow classifications of malnutrition (1976). Group-I, as Under-Nourished children (UNC) and Group-II as Well-nourished children (WNC). Percentages in both groups were calculated with respect to total expired, relapses and completed treatment.


RESULTS
In Group-I (UNC) 46% completed treatment and were alive, 9.8% relapsed and 45% expired. In Group-II (WNC) 59% completed treatment and were alive, 21.3% relapsed and 19% expired. Overall, in WNC group 13.5% completed treatment and were alive, 8% relapsed and 7.3% expired. In UNC group 28.8% completed treatment and were alive, 6% relapsed and 27% expired.


CONCLUSIONS
Pre-Existing malnutrition adversely effects the treatment outcome in children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).
Khan
Atta-ur-Rehman
AU
Department of Ancillary Health Services, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre, Lahore.
Sheikh
Moeen-ul-Haq
MU
Intekhab
Kiran
K
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D044342:Malnutrition / Q000150:complications*; D054198:Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome