NORMAL FINAL HEIGHT AFTER TREATMENT FOR ACUTE LYMPHOBLASTIC-LEUKEMIA WITHOUT IRRADIATION

In order to evaluate the influence of chemotherapy on linear growth, 2 8 children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia without irradiatio n were evaluated before, during and after the end of therapy. Median a ge at diagnosis was 4.4 years (range 2.2-12.7 years) and treatment was discontinued after a median period of 3.1 years (3.0-5.2 years). We o bserved a significant decrease in height SDS (p = 0.006) from diagnosi s to the end of chemotherapy, followed by catch-up in height SDS from the end of chemotherapy to final observation. Catch-up growth took pla ce mainly within the first 2 years after cessation of therapy. In 22 p atients final height was reached. Final height was normal (median heig ht SDS -0.035) and even significantly higher than mid-parental height SDS (p = 0.012). In those patients who attained adult stature, the sit ting height to standing height ratio was also normal. In conclusion, i n children treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, chemotherapy exer ted a negative influence on growth, but catch-up occurred within 2 yea rs after cessation of therapy, resulting in normal final height and bo dy proportions.