Children with cancer often have increased calorie and protein needs. Protein is needed for growth and to help the body repair itself. Getting enough calories can help the body grow, heal and prevent weight loss. If your child is having trouble eating enough calories and protein, your child's physician or dietitian may suggest serving high-calorie and high-protein foods (e.g., eggs, milk, peanut butter, cheese). They also may recommend that your child try oral supplements such as Carnation Instant Breakfast or Pediasure.
Sometimes, even when high-calorie and high-protein foods are offered, children with cancer have trouble eating enough. Often times, in these situations medications which stimulate the appetite may be used. Tube feedings may be necessary to help provide your child with adequate nutrition or to prevent malnutrition. This involves placing a small tube through the nose, down the esophagus and into the stomach or small intestine. Your child’s physician and dietitian will explain the different types of formulas that can be given through these tubes and will also discuss a plan for feeding your child using these tubes.
Children undergoing treatment for cancer sometimes require IV nutrition which is called total parenteral nutrition (TPN). If your child requires this, the dietitian and physician will explain how long your child will remain on TPN and will discuss why it is needed.
While your child is undergoing treatment a dietitian will be involved in his or her care during the hospital stay and when your child is seen at clinic appointments by the physician. The dietitian will provide goals for how much your child needs to eat and drink. They will also discuss your child’s growth and weight gain goals. Sometimes during treatment, children can become very uninterested in eating, especially if they have experienced significant nausea, vomiting, or pain with eating. This can also happen after children have been on TPN or IV fluids and have not eaten by mouth for an extended period of time. In these situations, a speech language pathologist can work with your child to help him or her start eating again. They can also provide strategies for eating at home.