Clinical analysis of nutritional components in children with acute leukemia

SHI Li-Xia, ZHAO Ming-Zhong, WANG Fei-Fei, XING Yu-Qian, JI Hong-Yan, ZHAO Ping

Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ›› 2025, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (3) : 300-307.

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Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics ›› 2025, Vol. 27 ›› Issue (3) : 300-307. DOI: 10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2408102
CLINICAL RESEARCH

Clinical analysis of nutritional components in children with acute leukemia

  • SHI Li-Xia, ZHAO Ming-Zhong, WANG Fei-Fei, XING Yu-Qian, JI Hong-Yan, ZHAO Ping
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Abstract

Objective To assess the changes in body composition and nutritional risks faced by children with different stages of acute leukemia (AL). Methods Bioelectrical impedance analysis combined with anthropometric measurements was used to detect body composition. This prospective study was conducted from August 2023 to July 2024 at Shandong Provincial Hospital, examining the body composition and physical balance of children with various stages of AL and healthy children. Results The non-fat components of children with AL and healthy children both showed a linear increase with age. In the younger age group, there were no significant differences in body composition between children with AL and healthy children. However, in the older age group, the body composition of children undergoing chemotherapy for AL was significantly lower than that of healthy children (P<0.05), and muscle mass recovered first after the completion of AL chemotherapy. The proportion of children with increased trunk fat in AL children who completed chemotherapy was significantly lower than that in healthy children (P<0.05), while the incidence rate of severe left-right imbalance in body composition was significantly higher (P<0.05). Muscle distribution in children with AL primarily showed insufficient limb and overall muscle mass, whereas healthy children mainly exhibited insufficient upper limb muscle mass. Conclusions The body composition of children with AL varies at different treatment stages, indicating that nutritional status is affected by both the disease itself and the treatment. Early screening can provide a basis for reasonable nutritional intervention.

Key words

Acute leukemia / Body composition / Bioelectrical impedance / Nutritional risk screening / Child

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SHI Li-Xia, ZHAO Ming-Zhong, WANG Fei-Fei, XING Yu-Qian, JI Hong-Yan, ZHAO Ping. Clinical analysis of nutritional components in children with acute leukemia[J]. Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics. 2025, 27(3): 300-307 https://doi.org/10.7499/j.issn.1008-8830.2408102

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