Consensus recommendations for the nutritional management of children with cancer in limited resource settings: a report from the International Initiative for Pediatrics and Nutrition

TL;DR

This paper presents new nutritional guidelines for children with cancer in low-resource countries to improve their treatment and quality of life.

Contribution

The paper introduces context-adapted, evidence-based protocols for nutritional assessment and intervention in pediatric oncology in low- and middle-income countries.

Findings

Multidisciplinary experts developed practical manuals for nutrition assessment and intervention in limited resource settings.

The manuals were field-tested and revised based on real-world feedback from LMIC hospitals.

The resources aim to improve clinical outcomes by addressing malnutrition in pediatric cancer patients.

Abstract

Malnutrition (under- and over-nutrition) is a critical challenge in pediatric oncology, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where supportive care resources are scarce. It negatively impacts treatment toxicity, survival rates, and quality of life. Despite the availability of broad guidelines, there is a lack of practical, context-adapted protocols for nutritional assessment and intervention in LMIC. The International Initiative for Pediatrics and Nutrition (IIPAN) developed adapted consensus-based protocols to address this gap.

A multidisciplinary panel of experts in pediatric oncology and nutrition from high-income and LMIC settings collaborated to develop adapted nutrition assessment and intervention manuals. The process involved literature reviews, iterative expert consultations, field testing in LMIC hospitals, and subsequent revisions based on real-world application feedback. Training programs were designed to ensure implementation, including in person and virtual mentorship.

Two comprehensive manuals and one complementary material were developed: (1) Nutritional Assessment: A Training Manual in Anthropometry, (2) Nutritional Intervention: A Training Manual for Pediatric Oncology, and (3) Appendix for Nutritional Intervention. These resources provide structured detailed guidance on nutrition assessment, interventions, and the management of nutrition-related complications. Their scalability and accessibility are crucial for optimizing nutritional management and improving clinical outcomes in limited resource settings.

These evidence-based, expert-designed adapted protocols address critical gaps in nutritional care for children with cancer in LMIC.