ABSTRACT
Objective To explore the change of dietary intake and nutritional status before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in pediatric patients to assess the importance of nutritional interventions.Methods In this observational cohort study,65 children undergoing HSCT between January 2012 and November 2012 in the Department of Hematology and Oncology,Shanghai Children's Medical Center were enrolled.The data collected before preconditioning were considered as the baseline data.We also collected data twice a week between preconditioning and 30 days after HSCT,and once a week from 30 days to 100 days after HSCT.Dietary analysis and urea nitrogen analysis were conducted in parallel.Results The baseline level of energy intake was (5 844.9 ±2 490.4) kJ/d,protein intake was (56.4 ±28.6) g/d,fat intake was (49.7 ±38.9) g/d,and carbohydrate intake was (190.9 ± 91.1) g/d.With the hematopoietic reconstruction,the oral nutrients intake significantly decreased compared with the baseline levels (all P =0.000).During the recovery period after HSCT,the energy intake showed no significant difference when compared with the baseline level in the 6th postoperative week,protein in the 13th week,carbohydrate in the 4th week,and fat in the 6th week.The urine nitrogen was (3.9 ± 2.4) g/d before HSCT,which increased to (16.7 ± 11.0) g/d after preconditioning (P=0.000).In the 1st postoperative week,the weight (P =0.000),triceps skin fold thickness (P =0.003),mid-upper arm circumference (P =0.000),serum albumin (P =0.000) and prealbumin (P =0.000) of the patients all significantly decreased compared with the baseline levels.In the 9th postoperative week,the fat-free body weight percentage (P =0.010),muscle percentage (P =0.001) and protein percentage (P =0.000) were significantly lower than the baseline levels,while the body fat percentage was higher than the baseline level (P =0.002).Conclusions Children undergoing HSCT exhibit a marked reduction in nutrient intakes at the early stage of HSCT,which may gradually return normal during the recovery period.This process may be slow,especially for the protein,and therefore may affect the serum protein level in these pediatric patients.Thus,more careful nutrition guidance is necessary during HSCT for pediatric patients,emphasizing oral nutrients intakes,and high protein dietary or formula may be helpful.