title: The use of a protein and energy dense eicosapentaenoic acid containing supplement for malignancy-related weight loss in children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of nutritional therapy in cancer patients is to prevent weight loss and to improve functional capacity and quality of life. Clinical studies however, have continued to demonstrate that a reduction in body weight loss is difficult to achieve in cancer cachexia. Several studies have shown that supplementation with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), an omega-3 fatty acid, has anti-cachectic effects in adult cancer patients. This study evaluated the clinical effects of a protein and energy dense EPA containing nutritional supplement in a group of pediatric cancer patients receiving active chemotherapy treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study was a prospective, randomized, single center, open-label design. Fifty-two patients diagnosed with pediatric malignant disease and receiving intensive chemotherapy were included. Thirty-three patients received a nutritional supplement containing EPA in addition to their regular food intake. Nineteen control patients did not receive supplementation. Patients were examined and their data (body weight, body mass index, and weight percentile) were recorded regularly once a month for 3 months. A subgroup of patients was evaluated for 6 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 3 months, there were significantly fewer patients in the treatment group as compared to controls that showed losses in body weight (P = 0.001), BMI (P = 0.002), and a negative deviation in weight percentile (P = 0.021). In addition, remission rate was significantly (P = 0.036) higher in the treatment group as compared to controls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates a decrease in cancer-induced weight loss in pediatric patients fed a protein and energy dense nutrition supplement containing EPA.
authors.affiliation: Cukurova University Medical Faculty, Division of Pediatric Oncology, Adana, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bayram
authors.forename: Fatih
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Erbey
authors.forename: Nilgun
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Celik
authors.forename: Jeffrey L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: Atila
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tanyeli
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D011506:Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; D015118:Eicosapentaenoic Acid