Nutritional status of children and adolescents with cancer in Scotland: A prospective cohort study

Summary Background and aims Malnutrition (under and overnutrition) in paediatric cancer patients during and after treatment increases short and long-term side-effects; however, factors contributing to malnutrition and patterns of change in nutritional status are still unclear. The aims were to investigate the prevalence of malnutrition, patterns of change in nutritional status and factors contributing to malnutrition in Scottish paediatric cancer patients. Methods A prospective cohort study of Scottish children aged p Results Eighty-two patients [median (IQR) age 3.9 (1.9–8.8) years; 56% males] were recruited. At diagnosis, the prevalence of undernutrition was 13%, overweight 7% and obesity 15%. TSF identified the highest prevalence of undernutrition (15%) and the lowest of obesity (1%). BMI [ p p p p  = 0.04; 95% CI (−16.8 to (−0.4))] and solid tumours had the highest prevalence of undernutrition [BMI (17%)]. Conclusions Arm anthropometry (or BIA) alongside appropriate nutritional treatment that targets undernutrition initially and overnutrition at later stages should be implemented in routine clinical practice of paediatric cancer patients.