The effect of chemotherapy on symptoms and nutritional status in children with cancer

Purpose: This observational study carried out to determine the incidence of poor nutritional status and symptom burden in children undergoing chemotherapy treatment. Methods: The research data collected from 187 children between the ages of 7-18 at pediatric hematology -oncology units in Izmir. The data of the study collected with Screening Tool for Risk of impaired Nutritional Status and Growth (STRONGkids), and the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS). Results: Patients reported a mean (SD) of 14.1 (8.1; range, 1-30) symptoms, and 43.9% were underweight. According to the STRONGkids, 62% had a high risk for malnutrition. The incidence of all symptoms increased as the Z-score of the patients worsens. There was a significant positive correlation between mean symptoms and STRONGkids malnutrition risk score, and Z-score (p < .001). Conclusion: Most of the patients were at high risk of malnutrition. It observed that chemotherapy treatment led to malnutrition. The patients with high risk for malnutrition according to the STRONGkids and severe malnutrition according to the Z-score experienced more symptoms.

Automated summary

This observational study aimed to determine the incidence of poor nutritional status and symptom burden in children undergoing chemotherapy treatment. The results showed that most of the patients were at high risk of malnutrition, and the number of symptoms was significantly positively correlated with the risk score for malnutrition and the Z-score.