Anthropometric Measures to Monitor the Nutritional Status of Children with Cancer, which Should be Used in the Practical Clinic?

Abstract

Introduction: The evaluation of nutritional status of children and adolescents with cancer is fundamental to the elaboration of adequate planning for nutritional monitoring, however alterations caused by the disease and/or the treatment may hamper this evaluation. Objective: Describing anthropometric methods mostly used at the evaluation of nutritional status of children and adolescents with cancer. Method: Systematic review of the literature of publications produced within the last ten years referring to nutritional evaluation of children and teenagers with cancer took place based on data from MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science and LILACS. Results: Nine articles were studied from which samples were highlighted, objectives and methods for nutritional evaluation were also used. The evaluation of isolated anthropometric data such as weight and height of children and teenagers with cancer is not sufficient once this specific population presents alteration on body composition. Conclusion: The utilization of arm muscle circumference, arm muscle area and triceps skinfold thickness measurements are proposed in order to evaluate and monitor nutritional status in practical clinics.