Browsing by Person "Brougham, F. H. M."

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2

Effects of pediatric cancer and its treatment on nutritional status: A systematic review
(2015-03-28) Revuelta-Iniesta, Raquel; Paciarotti, Ilenia; Brougham, F. H. M.; McKenzie, Jane; Wilson, D. C.
Context: Malnutrition in pediatric cancer is common worldwide, yet its prevalence and effects on clinical outcomes remain unclear. Objective: The aim of this review was to evaluate primary research reporting the prevalence of malnutrition in pediatric cancer patients and to assess the effects of pediatric cancer and its treatment on nutritional status. Data Sources: Electronic databases of MEDLINE, CINHAL, and PubMed were searched (January 1990-February 2013). Study Selection: Studies of patients aged <18 years who were diagnosed with and treated for cancer and for whom measurements of anthropometry were reported were included. The primary outcome was the prevalence of malnutrition (undernutrition and overnutrition), expressed as body mass index (BMI), in children diagnosed with and treated for cancer. Data Extraction: Evidence was appraised critically by employing the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tool, and data was extracted from original articles. Data Synthesis: A total of 46 studies were included, most of which were considered to be of low quality on the basis of heterogeneity in both the criteria and the measurements used to define malnutrition. Undernutrition was identified by measuring BMI, weight loss, mid-upper arm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness, while overnutrition was assessed using BMI. Overall, the prevalence of undernutrition ranged from 0% to 65% and overnutrition from 8% to 78%. Finally, undernutrition in pediatric cancer at diagnosis was associated with poor clinical outcomes in 6 of 9 studies. Conclusion: The possibility of a high prevalence of malnutrition in childhood cancer, indicated by the studies reviewed, highlights the need for high-quality, populationbased, longitudinal studies using standard criteria to identify malnutrition.
Systematic review and meta-analysis: Prevalence and possible causes of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in pediatric cancer patients
(Elsevier, 2015-01-16) Revuelta-Iniesta, Raquel; Rush, Robert; Paciarotti, Ilenia; Rhatigan, E. B.; Brougham, F. H. M.; McKenzie, Jane; Wilson, D. C.
Background and aims: Vitamin D inadequacy is now an internationally recognized health problem and pediatric cancer patients may be at even higher risk than healthy children. We aimed to evaluate primary research to establish the prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy and to explore its possible causes in pediatric cancer patients. Methods: Electronic databases were searched (no restriction-Aug 2013) with no language restrictions and keywords related to cancer and vitamin D. We included studies of patients aged <18 years, diagnosed with and treated for cancer and reporting plasma vitamin D status. Evidence was critically appraised employing the CASP tool. Meta-analysis was performed when appropriate. Results: We included 19 studies, which were mainly of moderate-quality and heterogeneous in the definitions of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. The median (range) prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 14% (0-61.5%) and insufficiency 23% (0-83%). Finally, a significant effect of younger age with vitamin D inadequacy was shown (effect size:-0.132; 95%CI-0.203,-0.060). Conclusion: There is a possibility of a high prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy in pediatric cancer patients, especially older children, urging the need for high-quality population-based longitudinal studies using standard definitions.