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DETERMINING THE APPETITE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF CHILDREN UNDERGOING STEM CELL TRANSPLANTATION
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  • Derya Suluhan,
  • Hilal Koacaerkek,
  • Dilek Yildiz,
  • Nevra Koç,
  • İkbal Ok Bozkaya,
  • Orhan Gürsel,
  • Namık Yaşar Özbek
Derya Suluhan
University of Health Sciences Turkey, Gülhane Faculty of Nursing

Corresponding Author:dsuluhan@gmail.com

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Hilal Koacaerkek
Ankara City Hospital
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Dilek Yildiz
University of Health Sciences Turkey, Gülhane Faculty of Nursing
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Nevra Koç
University of Health Sciences Turkey, Gulhane Health Sciences Faculty
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İkbal Ok Bozkaya
Ankara City Hospital
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Orhan Gürsel
Gülhane Training and Research Hospital
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Namık Yaşar Özbek
Ankara City Hospital
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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.