Changes in taste among pediatric patients with cancer and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation recipients

Loves, Robyn; Plenert, Erin; Tomlinson, Vivian; Palmert, Sasha; Green, Gloria; Schechter, Tal; Tomlinson, Deborah; Vettese, Emily; Zupanec, Sue; Dupuis, L. Lee; Sung, Lillian

doi:10.1007/s11136-019-02242-5

Cited by 15 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…Taste function was correlated with eating behavior and feeding strategies in children with cancer. This is in line with qualitative studies that already highlighted the influence of taste changes on food preferences and eating behavior [7,8,35]. Since eating behavior and food preferences are still developing in children, and are strongly influenced by the chemical senses, it is suggested that the impact of smell and taste changes in the long term could be large as well [36,37].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…However, this cross-sectional study was heterogeneous regarding chemotherapy (i.e., patients receiving doxorubicin, methotrexate, ifosfamide, cytarabine, procarbazine, dacarbazine, cisplatin, or cyclophosphamide per protocol depending on diagnosis and treatment phase), and only ten patients (median age 14.5 years) underwent a taste test. Qualitative studies indicated that changes in taste were the predominant cause of eating problems and altered food preferences in children with cancer, although specific food choices were highly variable [7,8]. Changes in taste are often accompanied by changes in smell function.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Smell and taste function in childhood cancer patients: a feasibility study

Brink

IJpma

Belkom

et al. 2020

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Purpose Chemotherapy can affect smell and taste function. This has never been investigated in childhood cancer patients during chemotherapy. The objective of this study was to determine whether psychophysical smell and taste tests are suitable for children with cancer. Taste and smell function, fungiform papillae density, and eating behavior were measured before (T1) and after (T2) a cycle of chemotherapy and compared with healthy controls. Methods Thirty-one childhood cancer patients treated for a hematological, solid, or brain malignancy (median age 12 years, 16 girls), and 24 healthy controls (median age: 11 years, 10 girls) participated. Smell function was measured using Sniffin' Sticks, including a threshold, discrimination, and identification test. Taste Strips were used to determine recognition thresholds for sweet, sour, salty, and bitter taste. Papillae density was investigated by counting the fungiform papillae of the anterior tongue. Eating behavior was assessed using the Behavioral Pediatrics Feeding Assessment Scale (BPFAS). Results Smell and taste function could be investigated in more than 90% of the patients, while fungiform papillae density could be determined in 61% of the patients. A significant difference in smell threshold was found between patients and controls (p = 0.001), showing lower thresholds in patients. In patients, sweet taste (p < 0.001), bitter taste (p = 0.028), and total taste function (p = 0.004) were significantly different after a cycle of chemotherapy, with higher scores at T2. Conclusion The assessment of smell, taste, and fungiform papillae density is feasible in children with cancer. Results of the current study suggest that smell and taste sensitivity increased in children with cancer.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Smell and taste function in childhood cancer patients: a feasibility study

Brink

IJpma

Belkom

et al. 2020

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“…6,22 Some studies evaluated TSA in children under chemotherapy using semi-structured questionnaires followed by a systematic analysis of the child's oral responses. 23,24 Others quantified TSA in children using the determination of smell and taste threshold. 3,24 This study proposed a paediatric qualitative questionnaire, the Gustonco questionnaire, inspired from an adult questionnaire, 16 to explore TSA that have occurred since the start of chemotherapy.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Taste and smell alterations affect nutritional status in children under chemotherapy

et al. 2023

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AimThis study aimed to evaluate the incidence of self‐reported taste and smell alterations (TSA) in cancer paediatric patients and evaluate the impact of TSA on nutritional status in this population. We also developed and validated a composite score to detect TSA in children undergoing chemotherapy.MethodsPaediatric patients who were undergoing chemotherapy in a paediatric oncology unit were included. TSA were assessed from the Gustonco questionnaire from which a composite score was developed and internally validated, eating behaviour was assessed using Child Eating Behaviour Questionnaire, and major weight loss was defined from nutritional status. All data were calculated at 1, 3 and 6 months after chemotherapy start. Associations between nutritional status and scores were studied by using logistic models.ResultsAmong 49 patients included, TSA occurred in 71.7% of patients at 1 month after chemotherapy start and persisted at 3 and 6 months. TSA led to altered appetite since 1 month after chemotherapy start. The occurrence of a major weight loss at 6 months seemed to be associated with a high Gustonco score.ConclusionTaste and smell alterations often occurred in paediatric cancer patients after chemotherapy start and seemed to be associated with impaired nutrition at 6 months after chemotherapy.

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“…We planned to enroll between 10 and 40 children in each age cohort of 4‐7, 8‐10, 11‐14, and 15‐18 years of age, ensuring we enrolled equal numbers to each cohort. Based on our previous research, we anticipated requiring up to 40 participants within each age group to reach saturation 2,4,15‐17 . We evaluated whether the interview process required modification and whether saturation had occurred for the primary qualitative aim after each group of 12 dyads.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%