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.
Key words: Child, Hematopoietic stem cell transplant, appetite,
nutritional status