Peer-reviewed article
A cross-sectional study of nutritional status and dietary intake of paediatric oncology patients in Indonesia: Comparison between cancer aetiologies.
Aviria Ermamilia, Bianda Aulia, Sri Mulatsih ·
Summary
Written by AI, not yet AICS's view · claude-haiku-4-5-20251001This study examined the nutritional status and dietary intake of 82 children aged 5-17 years undergoing cancer treatment at a hospital in Indonesia. The researchers found that malnutrition was common, with nearly a quarter of children underweight and over half showing signs of undernutrition based on arm circumference measurements. Most children were not eating enough energy, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals for their needs. The study shows that children receiving cancer treatment in this setting urgently need better nutrition assessment and support.
Key points
- 24.4% of children were underweight and 20.8% showed stunted growth
- 55.7% showed signs of undernutrition based on mid-upper-arm circumference measurement
- 43.9% of children had inadequate energy intake and 26.8% had inadequate protein intake
- Micronutrient intake was very low across most nutrients, with only 3.8% to 56.1% meeting national requirements
- Appetite loss was associated with lower overall nutrient intake
Limitations
This is a cross-sectional study measuring children at one point in time, so it cannot determine whether malnutrition developed because of cancer or cancer treatment, or how nutritional status changes over the course of treatment. The study does not evaluate the effects of any nutritional intervention.
Abstract
Background: Adequate energy and protein intakes are required to maintain nutritional status and prevent clinical deterioration in paediatric oncology patients. There are limited investigations of malnutrition and dietary intake adequacy during treatment in developing countries. Aim: This study aimed to assess the nutritional status and macro- and micronutrient intake adequacy in paediatric oncology patients undergoing therapy. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr Sardjito Hospital, Indonesia. Sociodemographic, anthropometry, dietary intake, and anxiety status were collected. Patients were grouped based on cancer aetiology (haematological malignancy (HM) or solid tumour (ST). Variables between groups were compared. P-values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results: 82 patients aged 5-17 years (65.9% HM) were analysed. The prevalence of underweight was 24.4% (ST vs HM: 26.9% vs 23.2%), overweight 9.8% (ST vs HM: 11.5% vs 8.5%), and obesity 6.1% (ST vs HM: 0.0% vs 8.5%) according to BMI-for-age z-score. Mid-upper-arm circumference identified undernutrition in 55.7% and overnutrition in 3.7% of the patients. Stunted growth was found in 20.8% of the patients. Percentages of children with inadequate energy and protein intake were 43.9% and 26.8%, respectively. The percentages of participants meeting the national micronutrient requirements were low, ranging from 3.8% to 56.1%, with the highest adherence rate observed for vitamin A and the lowest for vitamin E. Appetite loss was associated with lower overall intake. Conclusion: This study confirmed that malnutrition is prevalent in paediatric patients treated for cancer. Inadequate intakes of macro- and micro-nutrients were also common, highlighting the need for early nutritional assessment and intervention.