Childhood Cancer Survivors' Height Outcomes Affected by Changes in Body Mass Index During Chemotherapy

Strategic Insights -

New research highlights the importance of nutritional status during chemotherapy on height outcomes in childhood cancer survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). A study conducted at Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital retrospectively analyzed the anthropometric parameters and treatment protocols of 73 children with ALL who achieved complete remission through chemotherapy alone. The results showed that changes in body mass index (BMI) during chemotherapy were positively associated with height outcomes in childhood ALL survivors. Furthermore, the study found that the height standard deviation scores (height-SDS) at diagnosis, end of chemotherapy, and current visit were -0.25, -0.65 to 0.35, and -0.31, respectively.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study included 73 children with ALL who achieved complete remission through chemotherapy alone, with a median age at diagnosis of 4.2 years (3.2 to 7.9) and a median age at the current visit of 15.9 years (11.4 to 19.2).
  • The height-SDS at diagnosis was -0.25 (-0.65 to 0.35), which significantly declined during chemotherapy and recovered thereafter.
  • The study found a positive association between changes in BMI-SDS during chemotherapy and height-SDS at the current visit (b = 0.22, p = 0.01).
  • The height-SDS at the investigated time points and its changes during chemotherapy did not differ among the treatment protocols.
  • The study emphasized the importance of nutritional status during chemotherapy on height outcomes in childhood ALL survivors.

Statistics:

  • 73 children with ALL were included in the study.
  • The median age at diagnosis was 4.2 years (3.2 to 7.9).
  • The median age at the current visit was 15.9 years (11.4 to 19.2).
  • The height-SDS at diagnosis was -0.25 (-0.65 to 0.35).
  • The height-SDS at the current visit was -0.31 (-0.84 to 0.22).
  • The association between changes in BMI-SDS during chemotherapy and height-SDS at the current visit was b = 0.22 (p = 0.01).

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital Reports Findings in Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (Changes in body mass index during chemotherapy are positively associated with height outcome in childhood cancer survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia). Pediatrics Week. July 12, 2025; p 485.
  • Changes in body mass index during chemotherapy are positively associated with height outcome in childhood cancer survivors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Endocrine Journal, 2025.