Evaluating Nutritional Support in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract

Malnutrition is a common problem after pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) which can lead to further complications, poor outcomes, and increased costs. A review of literature revealed a lack of a standard nutritional protocol for this population. This study sought to determine if using enteral feeding as a nutritional support intervention in pediatric HSCT patients improves outcomes. A 5 year retrospective medical record review of pediatric HSCT patients at an urban hospital was performed to examine the use of enteral feeding and parenteral feeding in this population and compare outcomes. There was no significant improvement in outcomes by using enteral feeding for nutritional support. We recommend further studies examining the use of enteral nutrition in pediatric HSCT patients, with a particular need for larger, prospective, randomized controlled trials.