Anthropometric parameters as a tool for the prediction of metabolic and cardiovascular risk in childhood brain tumor survivors

Alberto Romano; Mariapia Masino; Serena Rivetti; Stefano Mastrangelo; Giorgio Attinà; Palma Maurizi; Antonio Ruggiero

doi:10.1186/s13098-024-01262-7

Anthropometric parameters as a tool for the prediction of metabolic and cardiovascular risk in childhood brain tumor survivors

Diabetol Metab Syndr. 2024 Jan 19;16(1):22. doi: 10.1186/s13098-024-01262-7.

Authors

Alberto Romano¹, Mariapia Masino², Serena Rivetti², Stefano Mastrangelo^{2

3}, Giorgio Attinà², Palma Maurizi^{2

3}, Antonio Ruggiero^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy. alberto.romano@guest.policlinicogemelli.it.
² Pediatric Oncology Unit, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, 00168, Rome, Italy.
³ Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 00168, Rome, Italy.

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the prevalence of alterations in anthropometric parameters predictive of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk among childhood brain tumor survivors.

Methods: Anthropometric parameters predictive of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk were analyzed [height, weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, waist-height ratio (WHtR), waist-hip ratio (WHR, blood pressure] of 25 patients who survived childhood brain tumors.

Results: 21 patients (84%) showed alteration of at least one predictive anthropometric parameter. 11 patients (44%) showed a BMI > 75th percentile and 19 patients (76%) showed a pathological WHR value. A pathological WHtR (> 0.5), was identified in 17 patients (68%); the average WHtR observed was 0.53. 9 patients (36%) showed an alteration of all three anthropometric parameters considered. Comparing this subpopulation with the subpopulation with less than three altered parameters, a greater prevalence of the combined alteration was observed in the female sex compared to the male sex (67% vs. 26%). No significant differences were observed regarding the age of diagnosis and end of treatment nor the treatments carried out (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, steroid therapy) between the two groups.

Conclusion: These results suggest that this population is at high risk of presenting pathological values of BMI, WHR and WHtR with consequent high risk of developing metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular diseases.

Keywords: Brain tumor; Cardiovascular risk; Childhood cancer survivor; Metabolic syndrome.