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Abstract

Background and Aims: Neutropenic diet is still being used among cancer patients despite the lack of evidence of its benefit. Several studies showed lack of effectiveness of this regimen. However, most of these studies were done among adult patients. This meta-analysis analyzes the available data involving pediatric cancer patients who were placed on a neutropenic diet during chemotherapy.

Methods: A systematic search was conducted from April 2020 to October 2020 for randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of neutropenic diet versus regular diet among pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy was done. Outcomes of interest were incidence of febrile neutropenia and bacteremia. A fixed-effects meta-analysis was done to pool the effect of intervention.

Results: A total of 269 patients were included. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of febrile neutropenia (RR 1.16, 95% CI 0.78 to 1.71) and bacteremia (RR 1.57, 95% CI 0.62 to 3.96) between the neutropenic diet and regular diet groups.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that there is no evidence supporting the use of neutropenic diet in preventing febrile neutropenia and bacteremia among pediatric patients undergoing chemotherapy. Clinicians should be aware of the possible implications of applying this dietary regimen to pediatric cancer patients.