Special Nutritional Needs of Children with Malignancies

摘要

The report, from a special task force convened to review the topic, addresses nutrition issue associated with childhood cancers. Diet does not appear to present a special risk factor for cancer in children, except for the possible transplacental transfer of maternal dietary carcinogens. Nutritional status assessment in children with cancer is performed by the same principles as for any other child. Unless the disease is in the last stages when first presented, malnutrition in these children is largely iatrogenic. Nutritional intervention must be judged on a case-by-case basis and may include enteral tube feeding, or peripheral or central parenteral feeding. Intervention can not only improve well being, but may assist the treatment and reduce complications.