Nutritional Status in Children Treated With Advanced Nutrition Therapy

Design, methodology and selection: The study consist of two parts: A retrospective study (registry study) of malnutrition among all children with cancer, admitted during a two year period, and a clinical trial to evaluate the effect of a standardized nutrition protocol for children undergoing SCT. Nutritional status is assessed before, during and one year after treatment with SCT.

The subjects are 140 children and adolescents (2-17 years) being treated for cancer and a subgroup of 25 patients treated with SCT at Oslo University. The results will be compared with a reference group of 25 patients treated with home parenteral nutrition as well as 50 healthy reference persons in the same age group.

The methods used for measurement of nutritional status are: Body composition, bone density, blood tests, diet record, activity detection and measurement of quality of life. The measurements are done on three occasions for patients with cancer and stem cell transplantation, and on one occasion with a reference. Information on demographics and medical care will be taken from journal. Growth data will be collected from health centres when needed. Parents' experiences of children's feeding problems will also be examined.

Inclusion criteria

• All patients will be recruited from Oslo University Hospital. Inclusion criteria are age 2 -17 years of age. The SCT and HPN group will include children who have not previously undergone transplantation, who do not have a pacemaker or other implants that prevent the measurement of muscle mass. Participants in the reference groups will be of the same age group, without congenital syndromes or previous cancers.

Exclusion criteria

• Exclusion criteria are patients who reject bone marrow