Abstract
Final height and skeletal proportions were studied in 142 children treated for ALL with cranial irradiation and combination chemotherapy but not spinal irradiation. Cranial irradiation consisted of 21-25 Gy in 60% and 18 Gy in 40% of the cohort. Significant reduction in height standard deviation score (HtSDS) was seen in both dose groups and was greater in girls than boys and greater with the higher doses of radiotherapy. Mean change in HtSDS for girls and boys in the higher dose group was −1.55 and −0.87 respectively and in the 1800 group −1.11 and −0.75. One hundred and seven (75%) of the group had relatively shorter backs than legs, this disproportion being significant (sitting HtSDS-Leg Length (LL) SDS more than ± 2) in 23 (16%). Mean sitting HtSDS for girls and boys in the higher dose group was −1.75 and −1.14 respectively and mean LL SDS −0.81 and −0.24. In the 1800 group mean sitting HtSDS for girls and boys respectively was −1.49 and −1.26 with mean LL SDS of −0.17 and −0.07. In conclusion, cranial irradiation with 18 Gy as well as higher irradiation doses may cause significant standing height SDS loss and disproportion with a relatively short back even if the radiation fields have not included the spine.
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Davies, H., Didi, M., Didcock, E. et al. FINAL HEIGHT AND DISPROPORTION AFFER CRANIAL RADIOTHERAPY FOR LEUKAEMIA. Pediatr Res 33 (Suppl 5), S69 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00394
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199305001-00394