Impact of Dietary Pattern Application on the Nutritional Status of Adolescents with Leukemia Undergoing Chemotherapy

Leukemia is the commonest neoplastic disease of infancy and childhood, accounting for30-45% of all childhood concerns worldwide. Malnutrition in pediatric oncology populationhas been reported to occur in 32% of patients in USA and in 50 % of patients in Netherlands.Unlike adults, childrens` nutritional needs must include energy requirement for growth anddevelopment. In addition, those needs are required to support the child during the disease andits treatment. Pediatric nurses are part of the nutrition team in all pediatric units. They havean important role in identifying whether children are at risk or actually have malnutrition.Objective: To assess the nutritional status of adolescents with leukemia and determine theimpact of application of dietary pattern on nutritional status of adolescents with leukemiaundergoing chemotherapy. Setting: The study was conducted in the University Childrens`Hospital and Sporting Students` Hospital in Alexandria. Subjects: A convenient sample of 60adolescents with leukemia was included in the study. Tools: Data was collected by usingthree tools. Adolescents and their care givers were interviewed to collect socio-demographicdata and medical history of the disease. The subjects were undergone a comprehensivenutritional assessment and application of dietary pattern. Data was collected during a periodof 8 months. Results: The results showed that application of dietary pattern duringchemotherapy was significantly effective in improving the adolescents` nutritional style,adolescents` knowledge about their proper nutrition during chemotherapy, the chemotherapyside effects and their management. It also showed improvement in the leukemic adolescents`anthropometric measurements and laboratory investigations. Conclusion: Application of adietary pattern during chemotherapy was significantly effective in improving the adolescents nutritional style, their knowledge about their proper nutrition, and their treatment.Recommendations: Emphasizing the importance of nutritional assessment and managementprocess in the medical settings are mandatory. Educating and training the nursing staff to befamiliar with how and when to apply such process and improving the food service in medicalsetting are highly recommended.