Pretransplant nutritional habits and clinical outcome in children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

OBJECTIVES: This study sought to investigate the effects of pretransplant nutrient content, nutritional status, and nutritional habits on the clinical outcome of children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one children were enrolled in this study. Dietary assessment was based on a semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire, consisting of 47 food items (including all commonly used prebiotic and probiotic foods in the Turkish cuisine), for the last week before hematopoietic stem cell transplant and a 24-hour dietary recall on admission.

RESULTS: Thirteen girls (31.7%) and 28 boys (68.3%) comprised the study group. Of the 41 children, 5 (12.2%) were classified as underweight; 12.2% at risk of being underweight; 53.6% healthy weight; 9.8% overweight; and 12.2% obese. Nutritional status of the children had no effect on the complication rate, duration of febrile neutropenia, and the day of neutrophil and platelet engraftment. Correlation analysis revealed that there was a negative correlation between the day of neutrophil engraftment and the amount of soluble fiber, iron, breast milk, bazlama (a traditional yeast bread), and bulgur consumption. A negative correlation was detected between the number of febrile neutropenia episodes and the amount of yogurt and onion intake. Increased intake of parsley and onion was associated with reduced duration of total parenteral nutrition. The amount of parsley consumption was found to be lower in patients who experienced transplant-related complications.

CONCLUSIONS: The nutrient contents and nutritional habits of the patients may affect the course of transplant. It might be recommended that "let them eat yogurt, bazlama, bulgur, onion, and parsley."