Innovating supportive nutrition assessment for pediatric cancer patients undergoing radio-chemotherapy
Background: It is now recognized that providing nutritional support to children undergoing cancer treatment is an essential aspect of their care. Many children with cancer are diagnosed and treated while malnourished, which affects treatment compliance, tumor response, survival and risk of complicat...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Elsevier
2024-01-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Africa Nursing Sciences |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214139124001574 |
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| Summary: | Background: It is now recognized that providing nutritional support to children undergoing cancer treatment is an essential aspect of their care. Many children with cancer are diagnosed and treated while malnourished, which affects treatment compliance, tumor response, survival and risk of complications. Objective: Assess the supportive nutritional status for Pediatric Cancer Patients Undergoing Radio-Chemotherapy. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional analytical approach and was conducted at the Oncology Institution in Damietta City. The subjects of the study were children undergoing cancer treatment within the study setting. A sample size of 214 pediatric patients was considered necessary. Data were collected using two instruments: an interview questionnaire sheet and a physical assessment sheet covering clinical, anthropometric and laboratory investigations. Results: More than half (55.6%) of the sample population received their food orally, a factor strongly associated with supportive dietary habits in children with cancer, as highlighted by the results. In addition, over two-thirds (70.6%) of the subjects had poor overall dietary habits. In addition, 41.6% had an abnormal body mass index, 30.4% had an abnormal mid-arm circumference and 28% had an abnormal skinfold thickness. In addition, 42.1% of the participants were diagnosed with anemia based on their hemoglobin levels. Conclusion: Chemotherapy, with or without radiotherapy, is the primary treatment approach for pediatric patients with leukemia and lymphoma. Many of these patients often present with symptoms of malnutrition affecting their lips, face, teeth, hair and skin, as well as abnormal anthropometric measurements, hemoglobin levels and serum albumin levels, all of which are associated with an unbalanced diet. Recommendations: There is a need for education and training programs on the nutritional assessment and needs of children with cancer throughout treatment, as well as courses on the disease and how to manage the side effects of chemotherapy. |
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| ISSN: | 2214-1391 |