Objective: To assess the effects of pre-existing malnutrition on the treatment outcome of children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
Methods: One hundred and sixty three patients with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) below the age of 14 years with L1 and L2 FAB morphology were included in this study. Treatment protocol used was FBM. Patients were classified according to Waterlow classifications of malnutrition (1976). Group-I, as Under-Nourished children (UNC) and Group-II as Well-nourished children (WNC). Percentages in both groups were calculated with respect to total expired, relapses and completed treatment.
Results: In Group-I (UNC) 46% completed treatment and were alive, 9.8% relapsed and 45% expired. In Group-II (WNC) 59% completed treatment and were alive, 21.3% relapsed and 19% expired. Overall, in WNC group 13.5% completed treatment and were alive, 8% relapsed and 7.3% expired. In UNC group 28.8% completed treatment and were alive, 6% relapsed and 27% expired.
Conclusion: Pre-Existing malnutrition adversely effects the treatment outcome in children with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL).