Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in Children: Analysis of Detection Thresholds for Basic Tastes According to Gender

Abstract

Childhood cancer is defined as any malignant neoplasm occurring in individuals under fifteen years of age. Leukemia is the most common type in this group. Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) occurs more often in boys than in girls, with a ratio of 1.2:1. Approximately 50% of pediatric cancer patients report eating disorders, including loss of appetite, altered taste, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, among others. Determination of detection thresholds for basic tastes helps understand the aversion to food and eating preferences in children with cancer. The purpose of the current study was to identify the detection thresholds for basic tastes according to the gender of children with ALL on chemotherapy. Children from three oncological institutions in São Paulo participated: ITACI/ICR/HC/ FMUSP, IOP-GRAAC, and the A. C. Camargo Hospital. The sample included 40 children from 6 to 15 years of age, (21 males and 19 females), following the GBTLI 99 treatment protocol. The sensitivity threshold test was applied, using paired samples of six increasing concentrations for each taste. Non-parametric tests were applied using the SPSS program. No association was observed between gender and detection threshold for basic tastes.