Abstract:

Objectives: Neutropenic diet ND was once considered to be important for the protection of patients from neutropenia when chemotherapy continued. The nutritional problems that neutropenic patients are struggling with include decreased quality of life, inadequate nutrition, prolonged hospital stay, gastrointestinal complications, avoidance of food and decrease in cell mediated immunity resulting from vitamin deficiencies. This cross-sectional trial aimed to evaluate the effect of ND adherence on malnutrition and hospital stay.Material and Method: Between 1st July to 1st December 2017, 60 consecutive children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated in University of Health Science Kanuni Sultan Süleyman Research and Training Hospital who were between 1 to 18 years of age and of whom 58.3% n=35 were boys and 41.7% n=25 were girls included in the study. Baseline data collection included demographic and anthropometric information body weight, height, mid upper arm circumference, skinfold thickness ; medical history and adherence to ND was evaluated with a dietary survey method with questions asking actual dietary adherence based on the frequency of food consumed within limited food categories.Results: The adherence rate was 61.7% n=37 for ND. The hospital stay was actually significantly lower in the low ND adherence p=0.027 . Patients in the ND adhering group had no statistically significant difference in malnutrition risk compared to ND incompatible patients p=0.524 .Conclusion: ND extends the length of stay in the hospital while it does not affect malnutrition status. Dietary guidelines with fewer limitations for children with cancer would be helpful for improving nutritional status and shortening hospital stays

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