Bone mineral density in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia survivors and factors affecting it

This study explores bone health in children who have survived acute lymphoblastic leukemia (cALLS), addressing conflicting findings in prior research regarding bone mineral density (BMD). Researchers examined BMD using DEXA scans in cALLS over 7 years old, categorizing participants into groups with low or normal BMD. The results indicated a significant prevalence of low lumbar-sacral BMD (25%) within the cohort, finding high adiposity to be a protective factor against low BMD, suggesting it might contribute to maintaining healthy bone mass. A strong correlation was observed between lumbar-sacral and whole-body BMD measurements. This research highlights the importance of considering body composition, specifically adiposity, in managing bone health for young leukemia survivors.