[Nutritional indicators in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia]. / Indicadores nutricionales en niños con leucemia linfoblástica aguda.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: A nutritional assessment allows to determine the state of nutrition and to predict the possibility of displaying additional risks for a disease. Previous investigations have verified that it is not sufficient for children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to have registry of anthropometric measurements such as age, weight, and height. Given the previous information, it is necessary to conduct studies with nutritional indicators that contribute to understanding their importance in children with ALL. OBJECTIVE: To compare the nutritional values of five indicators of children with and without ALL. METHODS: A sample of 21 children with a diagnosis of ALL and 54 children without ALL (control) participated in the study; the children's ages ranged between 1.3 to 10 years. Comparisons between cases and controls were performed. RESULTS: Indicators of albumin and triceps skin fold showed differences between the groups (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Children with ALL at time of diagnosis had nutritional deficiencies of subcutaneous fat reserve and protein. These indicators could be part of the prognostic and standard of care for children with this cancer.