Clinical Outcome in Children with Chemotherapy-Induced Mucositis
1Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Unit, Children Hospital's, Rabat, Morocco.
Objectives:
This study was conducted to assess the impact of oral mucositis on nutrition and performance status in pediatric cancer patients treated by chemotherapy.
Data Sources:
A total of 46 children were followed for mucositis episode, and their mean Oral Assessment Guide score was 20.2. Main concomitant disorders were hematological changes (86.9%), loss of appetite (60.7%), vomiting (28.3%), and diarrhea (10.9%).
Conclusion:
Anthropometric changes were highlighted by a decrease in body mass index (P = .03) and a decrease of Waterlow score (P = .007). Most patients had a low Lansky Play Performance Scale (LPPS) ≤40 (86.9%). High mucositis grades (P = .007) and long hospital stay (P = .005) were associated with a significant reduction in Lansky Play Performance Scale. Patient's follow-up showed need for hospitalization (84.8%), delay in chemotherapy treatment (71.7%), use of opioides (34.8%), and use of parenteral nutrition (26.1%). Death occurred in 10.9% of the cases.
Implications For Nursing Practice:
These findings illustrate the impact of mucositis on nutrition and performance status in children undergoing chemotherapy, which considerable affected their outcome.
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