Evaluation of Nutritional Status of Children Suffering from Cancer Under Chemo-Radiotherapy

Children with cancer are susceptible to nutritional depletion due to the combined effects of the malignant disease and its treatment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the nutritional status of children with cancer undergoing Chemoradiotherapy. The study was carried out at the Oncology Institution in Damietta City on 105 children having cancer and receiving treatment and their family caregivers using a descriptive analytical design. Data were collected by an interview questionnaire and a physical assessment sheet. Which included three parts; the first one covered the clinical examination; the second part was for anthropometric measurement and the third part was for laboratory investigations. The results indicated that lymphoma and leukemia are the commonest cancers and chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy is the therapy mostly used. Children suffer many gastrointestinal symptoms as anorexia, nausea, and vomiting, and subsequently inadequate eating habits. The majority have signs of malnutrition in the lips, face, teeth, hair and skin, and abnormal anthropometric measurements and hemoglobin and serum albumin levels. It can be concluded that the majority of the children were suffering from anemia and malnutrition, The study recommended establishment of nutritional support team (NSTs) to improve nutrition and nutritional care for hospitalized children. Further researches should be conducted to assess nurses knowledge about chemo-and/or radiotherapy side effects and its management, prevention and management of pediatric nutritional disorders. Therefore, cancer children under chemo- and/or radiotherapy need more attention towards their nutrition in order to anticipate the symptoms, signs, and sequels of malnutrition.