Use of Cyproheptadine as an Appetite Stimulant in Children with Cancer

Introduction: Malnutrition is frequently seen in pediatric cancer patients. It is very important to evaluate the nutritional status at diagnosis in these patients. The preferable method to treat cancer associated malnutrition in children is to increase their oral food intake with the help of stimula...

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Main Authors: Arzu Yazal Erdem, Suna Emir, Hacı Ahmet Demir, Bahattin Tunç
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Galenos Publishing House 2014-08-01
Series:Güncel Pediatri
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.4274/jcp.18189
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author Arzu Yazal Erdem
Suna Emir
Hacı Ahmet Demir
Bahattin Tunç
author_facet Arzu Yazal Erdem
Suna Emir
Hacı Ahmet Demir
Bahattin Tunç
author_sort Arzu Yazal Erdem
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Malnutrition is frequently seen in pediatric cancer patients. It is very important to evaluate the nutritional status at diagnosis in these patients. The preferable method to treat cancer associated malnutrition in children is to increase their oral food intake with the help of stimulating their appetite. There are some studies supporting the use of appetite stimulants in patients with chronic illness. In this report, our aim is to share our experience with cyproheptadine as an appetite stimulant in children with cancer. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 14 children who were used cyproheptadine as an appetite stimulant were retrospectively evaluated. Their weight, height, body mass index, weight for age Z-score, appetite status and side effects were recorded at baseline, 4th week and 8th week. Results: Cyproheptadine was used in fourteen patients with a median age of 4.5 (range:2.25-16.5 years). Eleven of them demonstrated a response to cyproheptadine (average weight gain was 1.44 kg) Mean weight-for-age z-score was increased from -2.22 to -1.56 (p<0.05). No serious adverse events due to cyproheptadine were reported. Conclusions: It seems that cyproheptadine is a safe and effective agent to stimulate appetite and weight gain in children with cancer, particularly in short term usage.
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publisher Galenos Publishing House
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series Güncel Pediatri
spelling doaj-art-b43214a23f414f77b47c7450acad56c12025-01-02T03:43:36ZengGalenos Publishing HouseGüncel Pediatri1304-90542014-08-01122636610.4274/jcp.18189Use of Cyproheptadine as an Appetite Stimulant in Children with CancerArzu Yazal Erdem0Suna Emir1Hacı Ahmet Demir2Bahattin Tunç3Ankara Çocuk Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Hematoloji Onkoloji Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Ankara, TürkiyeAnkara Çocuk Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Hematoloji Onkoloji Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Ankara, TürkiyeAnkara Çocuk Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Hematoloji Onkoloji Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Ankara, TürkiyeAnkara Çocuk Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Hematoloji Onkoloji Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi, Ankara, TürkiyeIntroduction: Malnutrition is frequently seen in pediatric cancer patients. It is very important to evaluate the nutritional status at diagnosis in these patients. The preferable method to treat cancer associated malnutrition in children is to increase their oral food intake with the help of stimulating their appetite. There are some studies supporting the use of appetite stimulants in patients with chronic illness. In this report, our aim is to share our experience with cyproheptadine as an appetite stimulant in children with cancer. Materials and Methods: The medical records of 14 children who were used cyproheptadine as an appetite stimulant were retrospectively evaluated. Their weight, height, body mass index, weight for age Z-score, appetite status and side effects were recorded at baseline, 4th week and 8th week. Results: Cyproheptadine was used in fourteen patients with a median age of 4.5 (range:2.25-16.5 years). Eleven of them demonstrated a response to cyproheptadine (average weight gain was 1.44 kg) Mean weight-for-age z-score was increased from -2.22 to -1.56 (p<0.05). No serious adverse events due to cyproheptadine were reported. Conclusions: It seems that cyproheptadine is a safe and effective agent to stimulate appetite and weight gain in children with cancer, particularly in short term usage.http://dx.doi.org/10.4274/jcp.18189Cyproheptadineappetite stimulantcancer child
spellingShingle Arzu Yazal Erdem
Suna Emir
Hacı Ahmet Demir
Bahattin Tunç
Use of Cyproheptadine as an Appetite Stimulant in Children with Cancer
Güncel Pediatri
Cyproheptadine
appetite stimulant
cancer child
title Use of Cyproheptadine as an Appetite Stimulant in Children with Cancer
title_full Use of Cyproheptadine as an Appetite Stimulant in Children with Cancer
title_fullStr Use of Cyproheptadine as an Appetite Stimulant in Children with Cancer
title_full_unstemmed Use of Cyproheptadine as an Appetite Stimulant in Children with Cancer
title_short Use of Cyproheptadine as an Appetite Stimulant in Children with Cancer
title_sort use of cyproheptadine as an appetite stimulant in children with cancer
topic Cyproheptadine
appetite stimulant
cancer child
url http://dx.doi.org/10.4274/jcp.18189
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