Nutritional status at diagnosis is related to clinical outcomes in children and adolescents with cancer: A perspective from Central America

Publication year: 2011
Source: European Journal of Cancer, In Press, Corrected Proof, Available online 5 July 2011
Alessandra, Sala , Emanuela, Rossi , Federico, Antillon , Ana Lucia, Molina , Tania, de Maselli , …
Background: The prevalence of malnutrition in children may exceed 50% in countries with limited resources. The aims of this study were to assess nutritional status at diagnosis in children and adolescents with cancer, and to correlate it with clinical outcomes in the Spanish speaking countries of Central America that formed the AHOPCA (Asociacion de Hemato-Oncologia Pediatrica de Centro America) consortium. Methods: Patients aged 1–18years, diagnosed with cancer between 1st October 2004 and 30th September 2007, were eligible for study. Weight (kg) and height or length (m), mid upper arm circumference – MUAC and triceps skin fold thickness – TSFT were measured and their…