Anemia and Malnutrition Remain Major Barriers to Cancer Treatment in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

Strategic Insights -

A study published in the Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition reveals that malnutrition remains a significant obstacle to achieving better outcomes for pediatric cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries. Childhood cancer is a growing public health concern in these regions, where over two-thirds of global pediatric cancer cases occur. Researchers from the Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences in Tanzania assessed the nutritional status and identified barriers to optimal nutrition among pediatric patients with cancer.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that 41.54% of pediatric patients were classified as undernourished based on at least one anthropometric indicator below age-specific thresholds.
  • Anemia was observed in 53.85% of children under 5 and 38.46% of those aged 5 and older.
  • The study identified age as a significant predictor of undernutrition, with children aged 5-10 and 10 years being more likely to be undernourished than those in other age groups.
  • Serum albumin and total protein levels were low in 44.62% and 30.77% of patients, respectively, but may reflect overall illness rather than nutritional deficiency alone.
  • The Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition reported that 65 pediatric patients were enrolled in the study, making this a significant sample size for research in this field.
  • Deogratias M. Katabalo and team published the findings in "Nutritional status and barriers to optimal nutrition among pediatric patients with cancer in tanzania: a quantitative analysis" in the Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition.
  • The study's main goal was to assess the magnitude of undernutrition and identify barriers to optimal nutrition among pediatric patients with cancer in Tanzania.

Statistics:

  • 65 pediatric patients were enrolled in the study.
  • 41.54% of patients were found to be undernourished.
  • 44.62% had low serum albumin levels.
  • 30.77% had low total protein levels.
  • 53.85% of children under 5 had anemia.
  • 38.46% of those aged 5 and older had anemia.
  • The study was conducted at a major referral hospital in Tanzania.

Sources:

  • Katabalo, D. M., et al. (2025). Nutritional status and barriers to optimal nutrition among pediatric patients with cancer in Tanzania: a quantitative analysis. Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition, 44(1), 189.
  • NewsRx. Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences Reports Findings in Anemia (Nutritional status and barriers to optimal nutrition among pediatric patients with cancer in tanzania: a quantitative analysis). Pediatrics Week. June 21, 2025; p 106.