Loading Curie Briefs...
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Getting the latest healthcare news for you
Preschoolers with cancer show major motor deficits at diagnosis. A Danish study of 83 children aged 1–5 found that the vast majority had below-average gross motor function, grip strength, and mobility at the time of their cancer diagnosis — before the full effects of treatment set in. Researchers say early, targeted physical rehabilitation should be a standard part of cancer care for this age group.
A new study out of Copenhagen University Hospital found that preschool-aged children newly diagnosed with cancer are already showing clinically significant physical impairments — and that's before the bulk of treatment takes hold. Researchers assessed 83 children aged 1–5 within two weeks of starting cancer treatment, evaluating gross motor skills, functional mobility, muscle strength, and physical performance.
The results were striking across the board. The majority of children scored below average in nearly every physical domain tested, pointing to an urgent need for early rehabilitation built directly into cancer treatment protocols.
By the Numbers:
Why it matters: These findings challenge the assumption that physical decline in pediatric cancer patients is purely treatment-driven. Since impairments appear at diagnosis, early and systematic physical rehabilitation — not just reactive care — should be integrated into treatment plans from day one.
