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Unmet Needs in Nutritional Care in African Paediatric Oncology Units

Judy Schoeman1, Elena J Ladas2, Paul C Rogers3

  • 1Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape Town, South Africa.

Journal of Tropical Pediatrics
|December 4, 2018
PubMed

Insights

Malnutrition affects up to 50% of children with cancer in low-income countries. Routine nutritional assessment and intervention guidelines are lacking in African pediatric oncology units (POUs), impacting survival rates.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Global Health
  • Nutrition Science

Background:

  • Malnutrition is prevalent in up to 50% of children with cancer in low- and middle-income countries, potentially impacting survival rates.
  • Limited resources and infrastructure in these regions exacerbate nutritional challenges for pediatric cancer patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the current practices of nutritional assessment and care in pediatric oncology units (POUs) across Africa.
  • To identify gaps in nutritional support services for children undergoing cancer treatment in African POUs.

Main Methods:

  • An online survey was distributed to POUs in African countries.
  • Sixty-six surveys were collected from POUs across 31 countries, detailing nutritional assessment and care provision.

Main Results:

  • Only 44.4% of POUs had a dedicated dietitian for nutritional assessment and support.
  • Routine nutritional assessment was performed in only 29.6% of units, with no defined criteria for nutritional intervention.
  • Access to essential nutritional support, including total parenteral nutrition (42.6%), commercial enteral nutrition (51.8%), and home-based supplements (25.9%), was limited.

Conclusions:

  • Nutritional assessment and interventions are not routinely implemented in African POUs.
  • There is a critical need for standardized guidelines for nutritional assessment and interventions in African POUs to improve patient outcomes.
  • Addressing nutritional deficiencies is crucial for enhancing the survival and quality of life for children with cancer in Africa.
Abstract

Keywords:
dieticiansnutritional carepaediatric oncologysurvey

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