Background: Total bone mass acquired during childhood is known to be the most important determinant and base of lifelong skeletal health. The present study investigated the prevalence of low bone mass for chronological age (LBM) in lumbar and femoral areas of leukemic children in the south of Iran and evaluated the association of anthropometric, clinical and laboratory data of these children with low bone mass.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted on 106 patients with proven diagnosis of acute leukemia who aged 4-18 years old. Anthropometric data, physical activity, sun exposure, pubertal stage and mineral biochemical parameters were assessed. Bone mineral density was measured by Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The data were analyzed using SPSS (version21).

Results: The prevalence of low bone mass for chronological age in leukemic children of southern Iran was 28.3% and 27% in lumbar and femoral regions, respectively and it was not sex dependent. This prevalence was associated with duration of disease, serum calcium, serum level of vitamin D, Body mass index (BMI), and radiotherapy. Among these factors, serum calcium had independent predictive effects.

Conclusion: The present investigation revealed high prevalence of low bone mass in Iranian leukemic children. The most important associated factors with bone mineral density were radiotherapy, BMI, duration of illness, and serum calcium level. Further studies are recommended on bone mineral density in leukemic children, especially in Asian countries, with attention to patients’ fractures to find out the important risk factors for future osteoporosis.