Implemented nutritional intervention algorithm in pediatric oncology compared to standard nutritional supportive care outcomes.

Aim: To implement a childhood cancer-specific nutritional algorithm adapted for the South African context for interventions at time-set intervals to evaluate differences in the nutritional status of newly diagnosed children with cancer.

Method: Children with newly diagnosed cancer were assessed for stunting, underweight, wasting, and moderate to severe malnutrition (MUAC < -2SD and < - 3 SD) between October 2018 and December 2020 in a longitudinal nutritional assessment study with monthly assessments. Two pediatric oncology units (POUs) served as the intervention group that implemented the nutritional algorithm-directed intervention and three other POUs formed the control group that implemented standard supportive nutritional care.

Extracranial germ cell tumours: Mature and immature (1990-2015). First report by the South African Association of Paediatric Haematology Oncology (SAAPHO).

Background And Objectives: Outcomes of rare paediatric teratomas have not previously been reported nor treatment regimens standardised in low- and middle-income settings. We sought to evaluate treatment outcomes of children and adolescents with histologically confirmed extracranial germ cell tumours, both mature teratomas (MT) and immature teratomas (IT) in preparation for the development of the South African national treatment guideline.

Methods: Retrospective data by folder review were collated from nine South African paediatric oncology units.

Malignant extracranial germ cell tumours: A first national report by the South African Children's Cancer Study Group.

Objective: To determine the overall survival (OS) and prognostic factors influencing outcomes in children and adolescents with malignant extracranial germ cell tumours (MEGCTs) in preparation for the development of a harmonised national treatment protocol.

Methods: A retrospective folder review was undertaken at nine South African paediatric oncology units to document patient profiles, tumour and treatment-related data and outcomes for all children with biopsy-proven MEGCTs from birth up to and including 16 years of age.

Results: Between 1 January 2000 and 31 December 2015, 218 patients were diagnosed with MEGCTs.

Sex Cord Stromal Tumors in Children and Adolescents: A First Report by The South African Children's Cancer Study Group (1990-2015).

Objectives: Pediatric sex cord stromal tumors (SCSTs) are extremely rare and there are no reported data from Africa. The authors evaluated the outcomes of children and adolescents with biopsy-proven SCSTs in preparation for the introduction of a national protocol.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective data were collated from 9 South African pediatric oncology units from January 1990 to December 2015.

Prognostic factors affecting survival in children and adolescents with HIV and Hodgkin lymphoma in South Africa.

South African children with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have low 5-year overall survival (OS) rates. In this retrospective multicenter study, 271 South African pediatric patients with HL were studied to determine OS and prognostic factors in those with HIV and HL. Univariate risk factor analysis was performed to analyze prognostic factors.

Burden of Tuberculosis in South African Children During Treatment for Underlying Malignancies: A Single-center Experience in Johannesburg.

Background: Children with cancer are immunocompromised with increased susceptibility to infections. We evaluated the burden of tuberculosis in children with cancer.

Methods: Children with cancer were enrolled and screened for Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection using the tuberculin skin test and enzyme-linked immune absorbent spot (T-SPOT.

High Burden of Serious Bacterial Infections in African Children Treated for Cancer.

Background: Infections in children treated for cancer contribute to morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of studies on the incidence, etiology, risk factors and outcome of bacterial infections in African children treated for cancer. The aim of the study was to delineate the epidemiology of infectious morbidity and mortality in children with cancer.

Treatment outcomes of children with Hodgkin lymphoma between 2000 and 2010: First report by the South African Children's Cancer Study Group.

Background: Children with Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) have excellent survival rates in high-income countries, but there are minimal outcome data in South African patients. Differing approaches to treatment are used in centres across South Africa, and the South African Children's Cancer Study Group (SACCSG) embarked on a programme to audit outcomes to improve survival rates.

Patients And Methods: A multicentre study was conducted to analyse outcomes and prognostic factors of children with HL in South Africa.

Adrenal cortical carcinoma in a child, a rare cause of paediatric endocrinopathy: case report and literature review.

Adrenal cortical carcinomas (ACC) are rare tumours, most commonly reported in adult patients. However, an important peak in incidence occurs in paediatric patients. ACC is a rare cause of paediatric endocrinopathy which may masquerade as a non-neoplastic disease process.