Altered food intake and taste perception in children with cancer after start of chemotherapy: perspectives of children, parents and nurses

Abstract

Changes seem to exist both in the primary gustatory sense as well as in food perception in paediatric cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Single solutions, such as efforts to serve "tasty food", do not suffice alone. A more effective solution may be to combine different strategies and combinations of oral, enteral and parenteral nutrition should be considered to prevent malnutrition.

Taste and smell dysfunction in childhood cancer survivors

“…The division mechanism is sensitive to the effects of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy [4]. The senses of taste and smell are integral in motivating a person's food preferences [5][6] and both child and adult cancer patients commonly attribute difficulties maintaining food intake to the altered taste developed during treatment [1,[7][8]. Altered taste in cancer patients has also been associated with decreased energy and nutrient intake [9], potentially leading to nutrient deficiencies [10].…”

“…In the paediatric oncology population, prevalence rates of a taste dysfunction do not exist though it has been reported to be an issue during cancer therapy [32,7]. A taste dysfunction during the more intensive pediatric HSCT have been reported to be around 40% [30].…”

Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancer Have Poor Adherence to Dietary Guidelines

“…Some gut hormones may also affect taste preference and food craving (39). High doses of abdominal radiation can disrupt gut hormone secretion, causing changes in appetite, taste preference, and food craving over the long term (40,41). Abdominal radiation has also been associated with an increased risk of insulin resistance in childhood cancer survivors (42), which can cause subsequent changes in energy regulation.…”

Treatment of severe oral mucositis in a pediatric patient undergoing chemotherapy

“…Dental care is critical for promoting the health of pediatric cancer patients as it takes preventive and intervention actions that boost oral health conditions, favoring good nutrition and lowering the risk of infections of various natures 19 . Chemotherapy-related oral problems debilitate patients' general health status, making them less responsive to treatment, which lengthens hospital stay, and increasing morbidity and mortality, which are mainly associated with infections 20 .…”

“…The components include nystatin, an antifungal; dexamethasone, an antiinflammatory; diphenhydramine, an antihistamine; morphine, a potent analgesic; lidocaine, a local anesthetic; and vitamin B complex, an adjuvant of cell metabolism for tissue repair. These agents enable a patient to bear the lesion while it is not fully healed 22 , preventing the progression of the inflammatory response, tissue destruction 23 , and the development of opportunistic infections 20 . The protocol with low-level laser therapy has been considered an effective treatment for oral mucositis 24 .…”