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Feeding difficulties and eating disorders in pediatric patients with cancer

Erika Damasco-Ávila1, Liliana Velasco-Hidalgo1, Marta Zapata-Tarrés1

  • 1Departmento de Oncología Pediátrica, Mexico City, Mexico.

Boletin Medico Del Hospital Infantil De Mexico
|May 23, 2019
PubMed

Insights

Over 90% of pediatric cancer patients experience feeding difficulties, impacting nutrition and development. Early identification of appetite loss and feeding fear is crucial for managing malnutrition risks in these children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Oncology
  • Clinical Nutrition
  • Child Psychology

Background:

  • Feeding difficulties are prevalent in children, affecting development.
  • These issues involve nutritional deficiencies impacting psychomotor, psychosocial, and physical growth.
  • This study focuses on feeding difficulties in pediatric cancer patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the frequency of feeding difficulties and disorders in pediatric cancer patients.
  • To analyze the relationship between age and the type of feeding disorder.
  • To identify key feeding alterations associated with malnutrition in this population.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving 125 children (ages 1-19) at a pediatric oncology department.
  • Feeding disorders and difficulties were diagnosed within 48 hours of admission.
  • Age-specific influences on feeding disorders were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • Over 90% of patients exhibited at least one feeding difficulty or disorder.
  • Older children (>11 years) showed more feeding resistance due to pain (fear of feeding).
  • Loss of appetite (OR: 8.8) and fear of feeding (OR: 3.14) were strongly linked to malnutrition; organic causes also posed a risk (OR: 3.1).

Conclusions:

  • Feeding difficulties are highly common in pediatric cancer patients.
  • Inadequate nutritional intake, driven by appetite loss and feeding fear, leads to undernutrition.
  • Integrating nutritional assessment is vital for comprehensive cancer patient care.
Abstract

Keywords:
Children with cancerDificultad de alimentaciónEating disordersFeeding difficultiesMalnutriciónMalnutritionNiños con cáncerTrastornos de la alimentación

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