# Development, feasibility and usability of an app for the correct nutrition of children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

## TL;DR

The 'Hematognam' app helps caregivers manage the nutrition of children with leukemia during chemotherapy, showing high user satisfaction and practical value.

## Contribution

A new mobile app designed to address specific nutritional challenges in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia during treatment.

## Key findings

- The app received high satisfaction ratings from users, indicating its usability and relevance.
- It effectively addresses dietary challenges like appetite loss and food safety concerns during chemotherapy.
- The app proved feasible and effective in supporting nutritional management for children with ALL.

## Abstract

Proper nutrition during cancer treatment is crucial for children and adolescents with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), as malnutrition can impact treatment tolerance, survival, and quality of life. In ALL specifically, malnutrition at diagnosis has been associated with increased risk of infections, treatment delays, and poorer survival, while maintaining adequate nutritional status can improve treatment tolerance and long-term outcomes.

We developed and tested the “Hematognam” app, which provides caregivers with dietary guidance for children and adolescents undergoing chemotherapy. This study evaluates the app’s feasibility and usability among families of children and adolescents with ALL over a three-month period.

The app received high satisfaction ratings, which suggests its user-centric design and relevance in managing complex dietary challenges associated with treatment.

These results align with previous studies demonstrating the potential of digital health tools to enhance treatment compliance and overall well-being in vulnerable populations. By addressing key nutritional challenges faced by children and adolescents with ALL - such as appetite loss, food aversions, gastrointestinal side effects, and food safety concerns - the "Hematognam" app offers a complementary tool to existing dietary counseling, supporting both families and clinicians in daily nutritional management. The development and implementation of the “Hematognam” app proved feasible and effective in addressing the nutritional needs of children and adolescents with ALL during chemotherapy.