Prevalence, diagnostic methods, and clinical outcomes of wasting among paediatric cancer patients in Africa: A systematic review and meta-analysis

09 Jul 20264 min read0 viewsJournal Feed

GIST (Key Takeaways)

by Ivaan Pitua, Daisy Wannyana, Derrick Bary Abila, Felix Bongomin Background Malnutrition is a prevalent and modifiable co-morbidity in paediatric oncology, yet no comprehensive pan-African synthesis of its burden has been conducted. This systematic review and meta-analysis estimated the pooled prevalence of wasting and acute malnutrition among paediatric cancer patients in Africa, evaluated the impact of diagnostic assessment methods on reported prevalence, and characterised associations with adverse clinical outcomes.
Methods We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science for observational studies published from January 2000 to December 2025 reporting wasting or acute malnutrition among children and adolescents (0–19 years) with confirmed malignancies in African healthcare settings. Two independent reviewers screened studies, extracted data, and appraised quality using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist.
Pooled prevalence was calculated using a random-effects model with Freeman-Tukey double arcsine transformation. Heterogeneity was assessed using the I ² statistic and Cochran’s Q test.
Publication bias was evaluated with Egger’s regression test. Certainty of evidence was assessed using the GRADE framework.

Clinical Editorial

PLOS ONE (Medicine) published a clinical update in Research Highlights on 09 Jul 2026.

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