Nutritional support for patients suffering from intestinal graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Background: Patients who exhibit gastrointestinal (GI) involvement due to graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) are often recommended to withhold oral intake (NPO) to avoid further damage to the GI mucosa. However, it is possible that continuing oral intake could be beneficial in many patients compared to total parenteral nutrition (TPN).

Objective: The primary objective of this prospective study was to evaluate whether programmed step-ladder oral dieting (enteral nutrition; EN) is feasible and beneficial for these patients.