Modern Pediatrics. Ukraine. (2026).3(155): 105-110. doi: 10.15574/SP.2026.3(155).105110
Aryayev M. L., Kengelyan T. R., Senkivska L. I.
Odesa National Medical University, Ukraine

For citation: Aryayev ML, Kengelyan TR, Senkivska LI. (2026). The influence of obesity on the psycho-emotional state and quality of life of children with hemoblastosis in the stage of late remission. Modern Pediatrics. Ukraine. 3(155): 105-110. doi: 10.15574/SP.2026.3(155).105110.
Article received: Feb 20, 2026. Accepted for publication: Apr 13, 2026.

Advances in the treatment of childhood hemoblastoses have significantly improved survival rates, shifting attention toward long-term health outcomes, including psycho-emotional well-being and health-related quality of life. Obesity is one of the most common late complications of anticancer therapy and may adversely affect physical, emotional, and social functioning, thereby increasing the burden of psychosocial maladaptation among childhood cancer survivors.
Aim – to evaluate the impact of comorbid obesity on psycho-emotional status and health-related quality of life in children with hemoblastoses during late remission.
Materials and methods. The study included 166 children aged 8-18 years with hemoblastoses in late remission, including 66 (39.8%) patients with obesity. The Control group consisted of 250 apparently healthy age-matched children. Psycho-emotional status was assessed using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), while health-related quality of life was evaluated using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL™ 4.0).
Results. Children with hemoblastoses demonstrated significantly higher total than Control group (11.5±8.1 vs 9.7±5.3), with the highest values observed in those with comorbid obesity (13.5±9.1). Internalizing problems, particularly emotional symptoms and peer relationship difficulties, predominated over externalizing problems. Health-related quality of life was significantly lower in children with comorbid obesity (72.0±16.1 vs 83.1±14.2), with the greatest impairment observed in physical, psychosocial and social functioning.
Conclusions. Comorbid obesity is associated with more pronounced psycho-emotional difficulties, a predominance of internalizing problems, and significantly poorer health-related quality of life in children with hemoblastoses during late remission. These findings support the inclusion of routine psychosocial screening, psychological support, nutritional management, and individualized physical rehabilitation programs in the multidisciplinary long-term follow-up of this patient population.
The study was conducted in accordance with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. Informed consent was obtained from the patients.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
Keywords: hemoblastosis, obesity, quality of life, psychoemotional state, children.

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