ESPE Abstracts

Background: Children under 25 diagnosed with neuroendocrine tumors often suffer from Malnutrition which raises the risk of infections. Being immunocompromised, there is a marked reduction on quality of life (QoL) and health outcome. Malnutrition also enhances the incidence of postoperative complications such as delayed wound healing, wound dehiscence, morbidities and mortalities.

Aims: To investigate malnutrition among children diagnose with neuroendocrine tumors and to assess the nutritional status of children receiving chemotherapy.

Methods: The study was conducted in Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. Simple screening tool (Short screening sheet) for malnutrition was used. Nutritional assessment of 80 patients receiving chemotherapy was done by assessing BMI, mid upper arm circumference MUAC, triceps skin-fold thickness TST, serum albumin, Total lymphocytes count. Nitrogen Balance and intake of macronutrients were also analysed.

Results: According to full nutritional assessment, 42 patients (52.5%) out of 80 were found malnourished. Short screening sheet identified 51 patients as malnourished who were receiving chemotherapy. The SSM had a specificity of 0.88 and sensitivity of 0.72. 62% of the patients exhibited negative nitrogen balance.

Conclusions: Nutrition is the most neglected area of clinical care. Early nutritional support and counselling is essential in order to improve patients Quality of Life (QoL).