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Dietary intake and nutritional status of children aged 2 to 10 years with leukemia following chemotherapy at a tertiary care hospital of Multan, Pakistan

Maria Hassan, Zulfiqar Ali, Usman Fawad, Khadeeja Iram, Syed Muhammad Dur E Sabih Haider, Bushra Urooj.


Abstract
Objective: To assess the dietary intake and nutritional status of children aged 2-10 years with leukemia following chemotherapy.
Methodology: This prospective, observational study was conducted at the pediatric oncology department, The Children’s Hospital & The Institute of Child Health, Multan, Pakistan, from November 2024 to August 2025. Sixty-seven children with confirmed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who completed at least one chemotherapy cycle were enrolled using non-probability consecutive sampling technique. Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency checklist. Changes in nutritional parameters were analyzed using Friedman’s test, taking p<0.05 as significant.
Results: Among 67 children, 50 (74.6%) were male, with a median age of 6.0 years. Height increased significantly from 106 cm (90–118 cm) to 108 cm (93–121 cm) over three months (p<0.001). Weight declined after one month but partially recovered by three months (16 kg to 15 kg, p=0.001). Body mass index (BMI), and middle upper arm circumference (MUAC) showed significant variations (p<0.001). Cereals (94.0% to 23.9%, recovering to 73.1%), fruits (79.1% to 35.8%, recovering to 82.1%), vitamin A-rich foods, dark green leafy vegetables, meat, dairy, and sweets, declined significantly after one month but generally rebounded close to or above baseline by three months.
Conclusion: Significant declines in weight, BMI, and MUAC emphasize the need for early nutritional intervention in ALL patients following chemotherapy. Fluctuating dietary intake highlights the importance of ongoing dietary monitoring and individualized support.

Key words: Body mass index, dietary intake, leukemia, malnutrition, middle upper arum circumference.


 
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How to Cite this Article
Pubmed Style

Hassan M, Ali Z, Fawad U, Iram K, , Urooj B. Dietary intake and nutritional status of children aged 2 to 10 years with leukemia following chemotherapy at a tertiary care hospital of Multan, Pakistan. RMJ. 2026; 51(1): 36-40.

Web Style

Hassan M, Ali Z, Fawad U, Iram K, , Urooj B. Dietary intake and nutritional status of children aged 2 to 10 years with leukemia following chemotherapy at a tertiary care hospital of Multan, Pakistan. https://www.rmj.org.pk/?mno=285963 [Access: February 25, 2026].

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Hassan M, Ali Z, Fawad U, Iram K, , Urooj B. Dietary intake and nutritional status of children aged 2 to 10 years with leukemia following chemotherapy at a tertiary care hospital of Multan, Pakistan. RMJ. 2026; 51(1): 36-40.


Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Hassan M, Ali Z, Fawad U, Iram K, , Urooj B. Dietary intake and nutritional status of children aged 2 to 10 years with leukemia following chemotherapy at a tertiary care hospital of Multan, Pakistan. RMJ. (2026), [cited February 25, 2026]; 51(1): 36-40.


Harvard Style

Hassan, M., Ali, . Z., Fawad, . U., Iram, . K., & Urooj, . B. (2026) Dietary intake and nutritional status of children aged 2 to 10 years with leukemia following chemotherapy at a tertiary care hospital of Multan, Pakistan. RMJ, 51 (1), 36-40.


Turabian Style

Hassan, Maria, Zulfiqar Ali, Usman Fawad, Khadeeja Iram, Syed Muhammad Dur E Sabih Haider, and Bushra Urooj. 2026. Dietary intake and nutritional status of children aged 2 to 10 years with leukemia following chemotherapy at a tertiary care hospital of Multan, Pakistan. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (1), 36-40.


Chicago Style

Hassan, Maria, Zulfiqar Ali, Usman Fawad, Khadeeja Iram, Syed Muhammad Dur E Sabih Haider, and Bushra Urooj. "Dietary intake and nutritional status of children aged 2 to 10 years with leukemia following chemotherapy at a tertiary care hospital of Multan, Pakistan." Rawal Medical Journal 51 (2026), 36-40.


MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

Hassan, Maria, Zulfiqar Ali, Usman Fawad, Khadeeja Iram, Syed Muhammad Dur E Sabih Haider, and Bushra Urooj. "Dietary intake and nutritional status of children aged 2 to 10 years with leukemia following chemotherapy at a tertiary care hospital of Multan, Pakistan." Rawal Medical Journal 51.1 (2026), 36-40. Print.


APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Hassan, M., Ali, . Z., Fawad, . U., Iram, . K., & Urooj, . B. (2026) Dietary intake and nutritional status of children aged 2 to 10 years with leukemia following chemotherapy at a tertiary care hospital of Multan, Pakistan. Rawal Medical Journal, 51 (1), 36-40.


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