Parenteral and enteral nutrition for pediatric oncology in low- and middle-income countries

Although nutritional therapy is essential for the treatment of childhood cancer, it remains a challenge, especially within the developing world, where there are many barriers to optimizing treatment. The oral route is the first approach to nutritional support, however challenging this might be in children with cancer. Oral supplements are indicated in moderate evaluated nutritional risk patients and its use should consider the family's social conditions and access to industrialized oral supplements. If unavailable, homemade oral supplements can be used respecting regional accessibility, local foods, and culture. Nonetheless, many patients cannot sustain nutritional status on oral feeding alone and need to be supported by enteral tube feeding. Enteral feeding may be modified to accommodate the financial constraints of institution in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs). In some oncologic situations, however, enteral nutrition is not possible and parenteral nutrition is indicated, although only if the need for nutritional support is anticipated to be longer than 5-7 days. Nutritional support in pediatric oncology remains a challenge, especially in LMICs, however, it can be undertaken by getting the best out of the available resources.