Welcome to the Oncology research theme. Headed by , studies under this theme are focused on optimising nutrition for children with cancer to support them through treatment and recovery. Foci include evaluation of malnutrition, dietary intervention, energy balance and body composition.
The effect of nasogastric feeding on body composition and energy expenditure in paediatric oncology patients
The Queensland Children’s Cancer Centre provides paediatric cancer treatment for children statewide. Over 400 children are treated per year including 120 children per year who are newly diagnosed. All children receive nutrition evaluation from a dietitian with approximately an average of 2 children per week commencing nasogastric feeds. At any one time there are at least 40 children receiving nasogastric feeds, all with regular dietetic input. At present, clinically, successful nutritional rehabilitation is determined by weight gain. However, functional outcomes and long term outcomes of decreased morbidity and mortality may be better correlated with improvements in muscle mass. It is unknown if nasogastric feeding improves muscle mass or just increases fat mass. The aims of this study are to determine if nasogastric tube feeding increases body fat and/or body cell mass in children with cancer and to determine if there is an increase in calorie requirements after nasogastric feeds have commenced. This study will include all patients having an NG tube and measurements of height, weight, diet diary, chart review, %fat, BCM, REE at placement of NG tubes and 2 months post –placement.
Research Team:
Dr Melinda White – Children’s Nutrition Research Centre/Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane
Dr Alexia Murphy – Children’s Nutrition Research Centre, The University of Queensland
Nicole Murray - Children’s Nutrition Research Centre/Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane
Prof Peter Davies – Children’s Nutrition Research Centre, The University of Queensland
Nutrition and body composition during treatment for childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) is the most commonly diagnosed childhood malignancy. Survival rates have drastically improved in recent times and now reach 80-90%. As such, long term consequences of treatment, such as reduced bone mineral density and increased risk of obesity, are of increasing importance. Treatment regimes are prolonged and continuous in nature, and span an important period for growth and development. Nutritional status is often compromised during treatment due to side effects such as nausea, vomiting and anorexia. Conversely, intermittent high dose steroids often cause excessive intake and rapid weight gain. Therefore, during treatment children face the issues of both under and over nutrition. Poor nutrition is associated with poor growth, reduced treatment tolerance, and increased risk of infection and may affect development of bone density. Excessive dietary intake and poor dietary quality contributes to the development of obesity in this population.
This project will determine how treatment for childhood ALL affects body composition and establish the role of dietary factors in these changes. A particular emphasis will be placed on bone health and the role of calcium and vitamin D. The project will also determine the relationship between nutritional status, clinical outcomes and quality of life. The results will be used to improve the nutritional management of children with ALL, with an emphasis on early intervention strategies to meet the equally important demands of improving nutritional status during treatment and prevention of long term consequences.
Research Team:
Ms Nicole Murray - Children’s Nutrition Research Centre/Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane
Dr Alexia Murphy – Children’s Nutrition Research Centre, The University of Queensland
Dr Melinda White – Children’s Nutrition Research Centre/Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane
Assoc Prof Andrew Hallahan – Queensland Children’s Cancer Centre/Queensland Children’s Medical Research Institute
Prof Peter SW Davies – Children’s Nutrition Research Centre, The University of Queensland
The link between nutritional status and survival in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between nutritional status before transplant and survival after transplant. This study involves a retrospective chart analysis of all children who have undergone Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) at Queensland Children’s Cancer Centre (QCCC) and collection of their weight change pre and post BMT, body mass index (BMI), body cell mass and morbidity and mortality.
Research Team:
Dr Melinda White – Children’s Nutrition Research Centre/Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane
Dr Alexia Murphy – Children’s Nutrition Research Centre, The University of Queensland
Prof Peter SW Davies – Children’s Nutrition Research Centre, The University of Queensland
Assoc Prof Andrew Hallahan – Queensland Children’s Cancer Centre/Queensland Children’s Medical Research Institute
Nutritional Late Effect of Childhood Cancer – Knowledge, Identification and Intervention
The improvement in childhood cancer survival rates has placed an increased focus on the late effects of treatment. Nutritional late effects are a significant problem with the potential to affect long term health. This study is will address three issues of nutritional late effects in childhood cancer survivors; knowledge of the body composition changes, identification of survivors with poor nutritional status, and diet and physical activity intervention to improve poor body composition. The proposed research project has immediate clinical relevance and will assist childhood cancer survivors to have the best chance of growth, quality of life and overall health in the long term.
Research Team:
Dr Alexia Murphy – Children’s Nutrition Research Centre, The University of Queensland
After Cancer Care Clinic – Queensland children’s Cancer Centre
Dr Melinda White – Children’s Nutrition Research Centre/Royal Children’s Hospital, Brisbane
Prof Peter SW Davies – Children’s Nutrition Research Centre, The University of Queensland
Assoc Prof Andrew Hallahan – Queensland Children’s Cancer Centre/Queensland Children’s Medical Research Institute
