title: Risk analysis, diagnosis and management of gastrointestinal mucositis in pediatric cancer patients.
abstract: Mucositis is a complex inflammatory reaction of the mucous membranes of the alimentary tract upon chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatment in oncology patients. Mucositis can be subdivided in oral and gastrointestinal mucositis (GI mucositis). The damage to the gastrointestinal tract compromises the intestinal function and thereby the nutritional status and the quality of life, and eventually affects survival. The literature on GI mucositis focuses mainly on adults. This review focuses on data available on GI mucositis in pediatric cancer patients. An evaluation of the clinical presentation and consequences of GI mucositis in children is outlined. The review summarizes key issues for clinicians with respect to risk analysis for developing mucositis and the diagnosis of this condition in children. Information on these issues is obtained from clinical trials in children and adults, and from animal models. Diagnostic tools and assessment of severity of GI mucositis in children is elaborated on. Furthermore, the clinical management of the symptoms and consequences of GI mucositis in children, with specific focus on nutritional support, are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Oncology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands; Department of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Nicoline S S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Kuiken
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, The Netherlands; Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Edmond H H M
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Rings
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Oncology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: w.j.e.tissing@umcg.nl.
authors.forename: Wim J E
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Tissing
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D002648:Child; D019468:Disease Management; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D052016:Mucositis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000009:adverse effects; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: Cancer; Children; Diagnosis; Gastrointestinal mucositis; Nutrition; Risk analysis