Age‐ and Sex‐Adjusted Body Mass Index Increases in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia Patients From Diagnosis to Five‐Year Follow‐Up

Abstract

<div><h3>Aim</h3><p>Children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) are at risk of metabolic and cardiovascular complications. We evaluated the development of overweight and obesity for 5 years after diagnosis in children and adolescents treated for ALL.</p><h3>Methods</h3><p>The medical records of children diagnosed with ALL at one centre during 2000–2018 were assessed. Weight and height measurements were retrieved from medical records and were used to calculate age- and sex-adjusted International Obesity Task Force-Body Mass Index (ISO-BMI). ISO-BMI was determined at selected time points during treatment and up to 5 years after diagnosis, and the change in mean ISO-BMI was assessed.</p><h3>Results</h3><p>We studied 115 patients diagnosed with ALL, 54 (47%) of whom were male. Mean age at diagnosis was 6.6 ± 4.6 (range 0–17.99) years. ISO-BMI increased significantly during treatment (<em>p</em> < 0.0001) and remained elevated at 5 years after diagnosis (<em>p</em> < 0.0001). The number of overweight and obese patients increased from 17% and 4% at diagnosis to 26% and 16% at the five-year follow-up.</p><h3>Conclusions</h3><p>Patients treated for ALL are at significant risk of weight gain and obesity, with the prevalence of overweight and obesity doubling from diagnosis to 5 years post-treatment. ISO-BMI remained persistently elevated across all treatment risk groups.</p></div><h2>Summary</h2><div><p><br></p><ul><li>Children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) are at risk of metabolic and cardiovascular late effects.</li><li>The number of overweight and obese subjects doubled from ALL diagnosis to five-year follow-up, with over 40% of children and adolescents being overweight or obese at 5 years after diagnosis.</li><li>Excess weight gain during ALL treatment affected all the treatment risk groups, so effective ways to intervene are needed.<br></li></ul></div>