Nutritional Status, Anthropometric and Biochemical Profile of Down Syndrome Children with Cancer at King Abdullah Medical City Hospital in Makkah

Background: Down syndrome children with cancer are susceptible to nutritional depletion due to the combined effects of the malignant disease and its treatment. The assessment of the nutritional status of pediatric oncology patients on admission to hospital is crucial, as nutritional status is known to influence treatment and clinical outcomes.

Objectives: This study aimed at assessing the nutritional status, life style, anthropometric and biochemical profile of children with cancer. The study was carried out at the at oncology department at King Abdullah medical city hospital in Makkah on 100 children having cancer and receiving treatment compared with non-cancer controls using a descriptive design, by using anthropometric parameters and prealbumine level.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive study on 100 Down syndrome children under 15 years with or without cancer was conducted to determine their nutritional status. The children comprised 50 patients with cancer (cases) and 50 controls seen at Down syndrome children’s outpatient clinic with minor illnesses. An interview questionnaire and a physical assessment sheet collected data. Which included three parts; the first one covered the clinical examination; the second part was for anthropometric measurement and the third part was for laboratory investigations.

Results: Indicated that leukemia and lymphoma are the commonest cancers and chemotherapy is the therapy mostly used. Children suffer many gastrointestinal symptoms as anorexia, nausea and vomiting. The majority have abnormal anthropometric measurements, hemoglobin and serum prealbumin levels. It can be concluded that the majority of the children were suffering from anemia and malnutrition.

Conclusion: The prevalence of malnutrition in Down syndrome children with cancer is high. Arm anthropometry in conjunction with prealbumine accurately characterizing the nutritional status. Down syndrome children with cancer were significantly more malnourished than those without cancer and will require nutritional support to reduce the morbidity and mortality arising from such illness.