Publications by authors named "Rema Mathews"
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.
Article Synopsis
- ! Many South African children with cancer face significant challenges due to poverty and food insecurity, impacting their nutritional status and treatment outcomes.*
- ! A study showed that nearly 28% of pediatric oncology patients had high poverty risk, which correlated with stunting and increased likelihood of treatment abandonment and lower survival rates.*
- ! Understanding the links between malnutrition, poverty, and food insecurity is crucial for providing effective nutritional support to at-risk children during their cancer treatment.*