The role of nutrition in children with cancer.

In recent years, the influence of nutrition on the health and growth of children has become increasingly important. The relevance of nutrition is even greater for children who are facing cancer. Malnutrition, within the context of undernutrition and overnutrition, may impact not only the effectiveness of treatments and outcomes, but also the quality of life for patients and their families. In this article, we review nutritional assessment methods for children with cancer, focusing on the specific characteristics of this population and analyze the efficacy of nutritional interventions, which include enteral, parenteral, and nutritional education. From our analysis, two important conclusions emerged: i) there is a need to focus our attention on the nutritional status and the body composition of oncologic children, since these factors have a relevant impact on clinical outcomes during treatment as well as after their conclusion; ii) the support of skilled clinical nutrition personnel would be extremely helpful for the global management of these patients.

Patient Blood Management after Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in a Pediatric Setting: Starting Low and Going Lower.

Despite the substantial transfusion requirements, there are few studies on the optimal transfusion strategy in pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Our study aimed to retrospectively analyze red blood cell (RBC) and platelet (PLT) transfusion practices during the first 100 days after HSCT at the pediatric hematology/oncology unit of our hospital between 2016 and 2019, due to a more restrictive approach adopted after 2016. We also evaluated the impact on patient outcomes. A total of 146 consecutive HSCT patients were analyzed. In patients without hemorrhagic complications, the Hb threshold for RBC transfusions decreased significantly from 2016 to 2017 (from 7.8 g/dL to 7.3 g/dL; p = 0.010), whereas it remained the same in 2017, 2018, and 2019 (7.3, 7.2, and 7.2 g/dL, respectively). Similarly, the PLT threshold decreased significantly from 2016 to 2017 (from 18,000 to 16,000/µL; p = 0.026) and further decreased in 2019 (15,000/µL). In patients without severe hemorrhagic complications, the number of RBC and PLT transfusions remained very low over time. No increase in 100-day and 180-day non-relapse mortality or adverse events was observed during the study period. No patient died due to hemorrhagic complications. Our preliminary observations support robust studies enrolling HSCT patients in patient blood management programs.

Silent Sinus Syndrome and Williams Syndrome: Two Rare Diseases Found in a Pediatric Patient.

Silent sinus syndrome (SSS) is a rare disease process characterized by progressive enophthalmos and hypoglobus due to ipsilateral maxillary sinus hypoplasia and orbital floor resorption. Patients may also present with eye asymmetry, unilateral ptosis, or diplopia. Most reported cases in the literature describe its occurrence in adults, but it can also affect children. The etiology remains speculative, even though the most accepted theory is that during the first or second decade of life, occlusion of the maxillary ostium causes an interruption in normal sinus development. Williams syndrome (WS) is a rare genetic, multisystem disorder characterized by a constellation of distinctive phenotypic features, including psychomotor delay and cardiovascular abnormalities. We report a case of a 7-year-old female diagnosed at 1 year old with WS and who gradually developed SSS. This last condition was diagnosed at 7 years of age, when she started showing progressive facial asymmetry in addition to typical facial features of WS; subsequent neuroimaging definitively supported the diagnosis. This case report describes for the first time in the literature an uncommon situation in which SSS and WS, both rare syndromes, are present in the same pediatric patient. We speculate that the particular facial features typical of WS could either be the basis of the development of SSS in our patient or make the SSS clinical course more severe, with signs presenting at the age of 7 years. This case report shows for the first time that facial asymmetry in WS can be caused by SSS and highlights the need for early identification of this complication in patients with syndromes characterized by dysmorphic facial features. Further studies are needed to understand whether there is a link between the two syndromes as well as to evaluate the prevalence of SSS in patients with facial dysmorphisms and define the best management.

Management of PTLD After Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: Immunological Perspectives.

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders (PTLDs) are life-threatening complications of iatrogenic immune impairment after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). In the pediatric setting, the majority of PTLDs are related to the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and present as B-cell lymphoproliferations. Although considered rare events, PTLDs have been increasingly observed with the widening application of HSCT from alternative sources, including cord blood and HLA-haploidentical stem cell grafts, and the use of novel agents for the prevention and treatment of rejection and graft-vs.-host disease. The higher frequency initially paralleled a poor outcome, due to limited therapeutic options, and scarcity of controlled trials in a rare disease context. In the last 2 decades, insight into the relationship between EBV and the immune system, and advances in early diagnosis, monitoring and treatment have changed the approach to the management of PTLDs after HSCT, and significantly ameliorated the prognosis. In this review, we summarize literature on the impact of combined viro-immunologic assessment on PTLD management, describe the various strategies for PTLD prevention and preemptive/curative treatment, and discuss the potential of novel immune-based therapies in the containment of this malignant complication.

Diabetic ketoacidosis at the onset of Type 1 diabetes in young children Is it time to launch a tailored campaign for DKA prevention in children <5 years?

AIM: To analyze clinical characteristics associated with the occurrence of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at the onset of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in children aged <5 years in order to identify early signs or symptoms useful to prevent DKA appearance. METHODS: Data of patients  with newly diagnosed TID aged <5 years (Group 1) and 6-10 years old  (Group 2) coming from the province of Parma were collected in the period 2012-2016. RESULTS: Mild/moderate ketoacidosis at diabetes diagnosis occurred more frequently in Group 1 than in Group 2 patients (p<0.0015). Severe DKA incidence was higher in children below 5 (21.8%) than in those over 5 years of age (3.75%; p=0.021). Latent period before overt T1D diagnosis was longer in Group 1 than in Group 2 patients (p=0.0081). During this latent period similar indicators were recorded among parents of children <3 years old: frequent use of disposable baby diapers (87%), wet baby diapers because of a large amount of urine (86%), body weight loss (79%).  In children aged 3-4 years reported symptoms consisted of polyuria (89%), polydipsia (79%), fatigue (72%). In Group 2 patients predominant signs concern unusual episodes of  enuresis. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that it is time to launch a DKA prevention campaign tailored for children under 5 years old and focused just on the above-mentioned three warning signs. Information program must involves pediatricians, pediatric nurses, new moms and nursery school teachers.