Weight gain and height velocity in young children 1 year following bone marrow transplant: a single institution study

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
• Clinical Nutrition
• Transplant Medicine

Background:

• Nutritional and growth outcomes in pediatric patients post-bone marrow transplant (BMT) are not well-documented.
• Understanding these effects is crucial for optimizing patient recovery and long-term health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the growth patterns of young children during the first year following an allogeneic bone marrow transplant.
• To identify factors influencing growth in this vulnerable pediatric population.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of 25 pediatric patients (1-6 years old) who received an allogeneic BMT.
• Nutritional data collected pre-BMT and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months post-BMT.

Main Results:

• Mean weight gain was 2.5 kg (median 2.3 kg); mean height gain was 7 cm (median 7.4 cm).
• Growth was comparable across gender, age, and infection incidence.
• Children with graft-versus-host disease exhibited significantly poorer weight and height gain.

Conclusions:

• Pediatric BMT patients experience varied growth post-transplant.
• Graft-versus-host disease is a significant risk factor for impaired growth.
• Nurses play a vital role in identifying and managing nutritional risks in pediatric BMT patients.