Anthropometric parameters as a tool for the prediction of metabolic and cardiovascular risk in childhood brain tumor survivors.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence of alterations in anthropometric parameters predictive of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk among childhood brain tumor survivors. METHODS: Anthropometric parameters predictive of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk were analyzed [height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-height ratio (WHtR), waist-hip ratio (WHR, blood pressure] of 25 patients who survived childhood brain tumors. RESULTS: 21 patients (84%) showed alteration of at least one predictive anthropometric parameter. 11 patients (44%) showed a BMI > 75th percentile and 19 patients (76%) showed a pathological WHR value. A pathological WHtR (> 0.5), was identified in 17 patients (68%); the average WHtR observed was 0.53. 9 patients (36%) showed an alteration of all three anthropometric parameters considered. Comparing this subpopulation with the subpopulation with less than three altered parameters, a greater prevalence of the combined alteration was observed in the female sex compared to the male sex (67% vs. 26%). No significant differences were observed regarding the age of diagnosis and end of treatment nor the treatments carried out (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, steroid therapy) between the two groups. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that this population is at high risk of presenting pathological values of BMI, WHR and WHtR with consequent high risk of developing metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases.