DETERMINING THE APPETITE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN UNDERGOING
STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION
Abstract
Aim: To determine pre- and post-transplant appetite and nutritional
status of children undergoing stem cell transplantation. Methods: This
study was conducted between November 2018 and November 2020 with 25
children, aged 8-18 years, diagnosed with cancer without secondary
disease and scheduled for stem cell transplantation. Time points: seven
days pre-stem cell transplant (T1); transplant day (T2); Day 1
post-transplantation (T3); Day 14 post-transplantation (T4); and Day 30
post-transplantation (T5). Measurements for treating pediatric anorexia
and cachexia include: height, mid-upper arm circumference (MUAC); body
mass index (BMI); and the Pediatric Functional Assessment Scale
(Peds-FAACT). Results: 52% of patients were female, and mean age was
13.2 years. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia was diagnosed in 32% of the
children. There was a statistically significant difference between the
means of body weight over time (p<0.001). By Day 14
post-transplantation, 61% of subjects (n=14) had lost >
5% of body weight. There was a statistically significant difference
between distributions of change in food taste over time, and
distribution of change in food smell (p<0.001,
p<0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Clinical nutrition teams
should closely follow the children’s nutritional status, plan
appropriate nutritional treatment, perform nutritional care, and
evaluate anthropometric measurements.