Korean J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr.  1999 Sep;2(2):204-210.

Nutritional Assessment and Dietary Management during Anti-Cancer Chemotherapy in Pediatric Oncology Patients

• Jang SR
• Kim HS
• Lee YH

Abstract

PURPOSE: We assessed the nutritional status and the alterations of oral diets during anti-cancer chemotherapy in pediatric oncology patients.
METHODS
Twenty children with malignancy were evaluated from day 0 until day 21 of post-chemotherapy. Nutritional status was assessed by body weight and biochemical parameters. The amount and calories of oral diets were assessed and food preference before and during chemotherapy were analysed by questionnelle.
RESULTS
1) The underlying diseases of 20 patients were 11 acute lymphoblastic lekemia, 2 non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 2 Langerhans cell histiocytosis, 2 Wilm's tumor, 2 brain tumor, 1 rhabdomyosarcoma. 2) There were weight loss during chemotherapy in 8 patients (40.0%), weigt gain in 5 patients (25.0%), and no significant changes in 7 patients (35.0%). 3) Biochemical parameters showed no significant interval changes during chemotherapy except elevation of serum ALT level. 4) The daily caloric intakes of oral diets during chemotherapy were 310~600 Kcal which was much lower than average of daily recommended calory for Korean children. 5) The most favorate food was altered by chemotherapy, from meats to carbonated beverages and unfavorate food was not altered as vegetables.
CONCLUSION
The periodic assessment of nutritional status and dietary supplements according to preferred foods of patients will be required for the optimal nutrition care in cancer patients.

Keyword

Nutrition; Diet; Pediatric malignancy; Anti-cancer chemotherapy

MeSH Terms

Body Weight
Brain Neoplasms
Carbonated Beverages
Child
Diet
Dietary Supplements
Drug Therapy*
Food Preferences
Histiocytosis, Langerhans-Cell
Humans
Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin
Meat
Nutrition Assessment*
Nutritional Status
Rhabdomyosarcoma
Vegetables
Weight Loss
Wilms Tumor