Evaluation of factors contributing to poor weight gain in pediatric hematology/oncology patients

Abstract

Aim: The goal of the study was to evaluate factors contributing to poor weight gain in hospitalized pediatric patients.

Patients and methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed in 111 pediatric patients. SD values for body weight calculated from the cross-sectional growth chart were used to evaluate physiques. After nutritional factors were adjusted for covariates such as age and treatment, multiple regression analyses (forced entry) were performed using body weight (ΔSD) before and after a nutrition support team (NST) intervention as an outcome.

Results: The mean age at baseline was 8.1 ± 4.4 years. The disease types were hematological malignant tumors (n = 50), solid tumors (n = 30), brain tumors (n = 12), and other diseases (n = 19). The mean period over which the patients underwent NST interventions was 144.5 ± 87.8 days. The mean body weight at baseline (SD) and the change during the intervention (ΔSD) were –0.6 ± 1.4 and 0.03 ± 0.7 kg, respectively. Multiple regression analyses showed that a history of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was a significant factor in reducing body weight (ΔSD).

Conclusion: This study suggests that patients who are scheduled to receive hematopoietic stem cell transplantation should undergo intensive nutritional intervention soon after their diagnosis.