Changes in Height and Body Mass Index in Children Undergoing Chemotherapy for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Introduction:The objective was to investigate the impact of chemotherapy on changes in height and BMI of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia patients from diagnosis to two years posttreatment.Methodology: A total of 805 pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients diagnosed between January 1, 2015, and May 1, 2021, at Zhejiang University School of Medicine Children's Hospital Hematology Oncology Department were included.Height and weight data were collected at diagnosis and at 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-, 18-, and 24-months posttreatment.SPSS was utilized to analyze changes in height and BMI zscores and their relationship with clinical characteristics at each observation point.Results: Overall height z-scores post-treatment were significantly lower than at diagnosis (P<0.001), with the most significant decline observed in the first three months of treatment.Some catch-up growth was noted nine months post-treatment.Patients 6 years old at diagnosis showed significant catch-up growth and eventually achieved higher height zscores (P<0.05),whereas height z-scores decreased most significantly in patients aged 8-13 years (P<0.05).High-risk patients had lower height zscores at 9-and 12-months post-treatment compared to low-and intermediate-risk groups (P<0.01).