Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is a complex procedure used to treat several onco-hematological neoplasms, benign hematological diseases, and some types of solid tumors. In recent years, the role of the gut microbiota in HSCT has been studied, revealing that the microbiota has a direct interaction with the immune system and the microbial balance within the body (eubiosis), providing beneficial health effects, and changes in such state result in dysbiosis, which has been associated with several pathological states. The process in which the patient undergoes HSCT can cause microbiota imbalance with reduced diversity, which would be related to negative post-HSCT outcomes, including increased mortality and development of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). The modulation of the gut microbiota through methods such as the use of probiotics has been explored as an alternative for the recovery and/or maintenance of the gut microbiota.
Introduction: To assess the use of nutritional support in children and adolescents submitted to autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and analyze changes in nutritional status at hospital discharge after HSCT.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on pediatric oncology patients hospitalized for autologous HSCT between 2010 and 2017. Nutritional therapy was evaluated based on the duration of enteral tube feeding (ETF) and parenteral nutrition (PN), either alone or in combination. The length of hospital stay was measured in days. Nutritional status was assessed at admission and discharge, and classified according to World Health Organization criteria.
Results:The sample consisted of 68 patients, 54.4% of whom were boys. Most participants (89.7%) had solid tumors. Nutritional therapy was required in over half (52.9%) of cases, with PN being the most common indication. There was a reduction in the percentage of overweight patients and an increase in the percentage of underweight patients at discharge relative to admission.
Conclusions:The use of nutritional therapy is highly prevalent in this population, and HSCT has a negative impact on nutritional status at discharge.
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