Nutritional Status of Children with Cancer at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Childhood cancer is a leading cause of child mortality in developed countries as well as a recognized contributor to malnutrition and death in developing countries, in particular those of low socioeconomic status. It is estimated that about 50% of children with cancer in developing countries are malnourished while in developed countries, malnutrition among cancer patients is related to the type and the extent of tumor. Anthropometry is the most common and easy way for assessing the nutritional status of children. Objectives: This study aimed at assessing the nutritional status of children with cancer at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu, compared with non cancer controls, by using anthropometric parameters. It also attempted to determine the best anthropometric parameter to detect malnutrition in cancer patients. Methods: Over a 36 month period, a case controlled study of children aged 3 months to 18 years with or without cancer was conducted to determine their nutritional status. The children comprised 104 patients with cancer (cases) and 104 controls seen at children’s outpatient clinic with minor illnesses. Their anthropometric measurements were taken within 24 hours of admission and at point of contact for the controls. Result: The prevalence of malnutrition was higher in cancer patients as the anthropometric parameters were significantly lower among them than the controls (WFA: t=0.019, HFA: t=0.019). Prevalence of malnutrition was higher in the low socioeconomic group. Skin fold thickness was observed to be a more sensitive indicator than weight related anthropometry in assessing the nutritional status of children with cancer. Conclusion: Children with cancer on admission were significantly more malnourished than those without cancer and will require nutritional support to reduce the morbidity and mortality arising from such illness