Dados do Trabalho

Título

NUTRITION AND LIFESTYLE IN CHILDREN WITH BRAIN TUMORS

Introdução

Brain tumors are abnormal cell formations in the brain or adjacent structures, posing significant challenges, especially in children. Nutritional status can affect clinical outcomes like survival, treatment endurance, infection risk, and quality of life. Despite its importance, nutrition often lacks attention in pediatric cancer care. Hallay emphasized immunonutrition to restore defense cells and linked diet with glutamine stimulation, a precursor of glutamate and GABA, modulating brain excitability and homeostasis. These practices can improve clinical outcomes for children with brain tumors undergoing treatment.

Objetivo

To examine the impact of nutrition and lifestyle changes on the clinical outcomes of children with brain tumors, focusing on how proper nutritional status and immunonutrition influence survival rates, treatment tolerance, infection risk, and overall quality of life, while emphasizing the need for dietary interventions to support brain health and improve treatment results.

Método

A comprehensive search was conducted on study platforms using terms such as "Brain tumors in children," "Nutritional status in patients with brain cancer," and "Immunonutrition." Studies published between 2002 and 2021 that analyzed the importance of nutritional status for the oncological treatment of brain tumors in children were assessed, with six studies selected and included in this review.

Resultados

Proper nutrition in children with brain tumors demonstrates effective improvements in clinical outcomes, including increased overall survival and the ability to endure intensive treatments. Furthermore, immunonutrition is crucial for restoring immune cells, reducing the risk of infections, and enhancing treatment resilience. A diet enriched with glutamine modulates cerebral excitability and maintains homeostasis, leading to a significant improvement in patients' quality of life. An integrated nutritional approach in pediatric oncology treatment has proven essential for achieving positive clinical outcomes.

Conclusão

Adequate nutrition plays a crucial role in the treatment of children with brain tumors. It affects the course of the disease, the patient's quality of life, and survival. Based on studies regarding the importance of a proper diet, it can be concluded that a clinically favorable state for brain health and well-being is unattainable without dietary modifications.

Referências

1 - Spinal Oncology An Issue Of Neurosurgery Clinics Of North America. S.L.: Elsevier - Health Science; 2020.
2 - Adesina AM, Tarik Tihan, Fuller CE, Tina Young Poussaint. Atlas of Pediatric Brain Tumors. Cham Springer International Publishing; 2016.
3 - Hallay J, Kovács G, Kiss Sz S, Farkas M, Lakos G, Sipka S, Bodolay E, Sápy P. Changes in nutritional state and immune-serological parameters of esophagectomized patients fed jejunely with glutamine-poor and glutamine-rich nutriments. Hepato-Gastroenterology. 2002 Nov-Dec;49(48):1555-9.
4 - Food Science, Technology And Nutrition For Babies And Children. S.L.: Springer; 2021.
5- Tod D, Springerlink (Online Service. Conducting Systematic Reviews in Sport, Exercise, and Physical Activity. Cham: Springer International Publishing; 2019.
6- Sands SA, Oberg JA, Gardner SL, Whiteley JA, Glade Bender JL. Nutritional status and outcomes in pediatric patients with brain tumors. J Neurooncol. 2010;98(3):369-77.

Palavras Chave

Brain tumors; Lifestyle; Diet