title: Final height in survivors of childhood cancer compared with Height Standard Deviation Scores at diagnosis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Our study aimed to evaluate final height in a cohort of Dutch childhood cancer survivors (CCS) and assess possible determinants of final height, including height at diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  We calculated standard deviation scores (SDS) for height at initial cancer diagnosis and height in adulthood in a cohort of 573 CCS. Multivariable regression analyses were carried out to estimate the influence of different determinants on height SDS at follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, survivors had a normal height SDS at cancer diagnosis. However, at follow-up in adulthood, 8.9% had a height ≤-2 SDS. Height SDS at diagnosis was an important determinant for adult height SDS. Children treated with (higher doses of) radiotherapy showed significantly reduced final height SDS. Survivors treated with total body irradiation (TBI) and craniospinal radiation had the greatest loss in height (-1.56 and -1.37 SDS, respectively). Younger age at diagnosis contributed negatively to final height.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Height at diagnosis was an important determinant for height SDS at follow-up. Survivors treated with TBI, cranial and craniospinal irradiation should be monitored periodically for adequate linear growth, to enable treatment on time if necessary. For correct interpretation of treatment-related late effects studies in CCS, pre-treatment data should always be included.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Informatics, Academic Medical Centre, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Knijnenburg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Raemaekers
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: van den Berg
authors.forename: I W E M
authors.initials: IW
authors.lastname: van Dijk
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lieverst
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: van der Pal
authors.forename: M W M
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Jaspers
authors.forename: H N
authors.initials: HN
authors.lastname: Caron
authors.forename: L C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Kremer
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: van Santen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001827:Body Height / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016371:Cranial Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D012737:Sex Factors; D017741:Survivors; D014916:Whole-Body Irradiation / Q000009:adverse effects*