What nutritional strategy is suggested to prevent malnutrition during intensive chemotherapy for pediatric sarcomas?

During intensive chemotherapy for pediatric sarcomas, patients face a heightened risk of malnutrition due to side effects such as nausea, vomiting, and decreased appetite. To effectively counteract these risks and ensure nutritional needs are met, aggressive enteral nutrition support is recommended.

This approach involves providing nutrients directly into the gastrointestinal tract, either through oral intake or a feeding tube, ensuring that the patient receives the necessary calories and proteins to support recovery and maintain strength. Enteral nutrition can be tailored to meet the individual needs of the child, accommodating any gastrointestinal complications that may arise during treatment.

Aggressive enteral nutrition support not only helps to prevent malnutrition but also supports the overall therapeutic goals of oncology treatment, including maintaining weight, optimizing metabolic stability, and promoting healing. This strategy is particularly important in pediatrics, where growth and development are a priority, and where traditional oral intake may not suffice during periods of invasive therapy.

In contrast, strategies like oral supplements alone may not provide sufficient nutritional support, especially if a child is experiencing significant side effects from chemotherapy. Increased hydration is essential but is a separate concern that does not directly address the caloric and protein demands that the patient has. Frequent small meals can be beneficial but may not be enough to ensure adequate