The Impact of Intensive Chemotherapy on Nutritional Status and Hematological Parameters of Children Aged 1-12 Years

A compromised nutritional status (NS) jeopardizes positive clinical outcomes, treatment tolerance, the risk of developing infections, and quality of life (QoL). Globally, the reported incidence of malnutrition at diagnosis in children with cancer varies from 6% to as high as 50%, whereas in India, the prevalence is very high, with 84% of children having undernourishment. NS is a modifiable prognostic determinant that can be used to improve the outcomes in these patients. To study the change in anthropometric and biochemical parameters related to nutrition at diagnosis and post-intensive chemotherapy in pediatric cancer patients. A prospective observational study was conducted on ninety patients aged 1-12 years with newly diagnosed hematological malignancies admitted to Safdarjung Hospital for chemotherapy. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters were assessed at initiation, one month, and three months after chemotherapy. Our study revealed a significant increase in weight for age and height/length for age at 1 and 3 months (p value <0.05). Acute and severe acute malnutrition was present in 23.33% and 5.56% of patients at 3 months, respectively, compared to 20% and 3.33% at initiation. Significant differences in the distribution of anemia at initiation (53.33%), 1 (8.89%), and 3 months (7.78%) were noted and mucositis was significantly increased at 3 months as compared to initiation (p-value <0.05). Standardized guidelines and a methodical approach to dietary management for children with cancer are currently lacking. A crucial component of the care pathway ought to be nutritional follow-up.