13 Feb Sarcopenia & Childhood Cancer
Maintaining adequate skeletal mass in both quality and quantity is essential for maintaining optimal health throughout life. The term sarcopenia is essentially characterized by reduced muscle mass, strength and physical performance. In 1964, the phenotype was first discussed in children who exhibited reduced muscle mass. As in adults, reduced muscle mass and strength in children contribute negatively to health (5).
Children with chronic diseases also show changes in muscle mass and strength, with the degree of muscle loss potentially influencing both disease severity and treatment. Studies in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, a very common type of childhood cancer, reveal a significant reduction in lean muscle mass after treatment. High doses of steroids during induction therapy cause atrophy of myofibres due to degradation of myosin heavy chain and reduction in myosin synthesis. Deficits in muscle mass appear to persist after treatment. For example, a long-term epidemiological study of showed that 50% of individuals aged <18 years had low muscle mass even after ten years of diagnosis (5).