Publication:

Nutritional management of oral mucositis in pediatric cancer patients: a narrative review

Oral mucositis is a frequent and debilitating chemotherapy complication that significantly impairs oral intake and worsens nutritional status, particularly in children undergoing cancer treatment who are already nutritionally vulnerable. While numerous studies in the literature focus on the therapeutic management and prevention of mucositis, nutritional management remains an overlooked area, especially in pediatric oncology. This review aims to address this gap by examining current evidence on nutritional strategies for the management of oral mucositis in pediatric oncology, including dietary modifications tailored to disease severity and the potential role of functional foods and nutrient-based supplements. A structured literature search was conducted for studies published between January 2000 and October 2025 using suitable search terminologies and phrases. Eligible studies included randomized and non-randomized clinical trials, reviews, and primary research published in English. A two-stage screening process identified 41 studies eligible for inclusion in the final analysis. The analysis indicated that glutamine demonstrated consistent benefits in reducing the incidence and severity of oral mucositis in children receiving chemotherapy, while honey was associated with shorter duration and reduced severity of mucositis episodes. Evidence for other interventions, including vitamins, zinc, olive oil, aloe vera, and probiotics, was more heterogeneous and limited. Given the lack of clear guidance on nutritional management across mucositis severity, this review also proposes a practical severity-based dietary modification framework to support clinical care. Collectively, the findings suggest that integrating functional foods and targeted nutritional strategies may help alleviate symptoms, support oral intake, and improve supportive care in pediatric oncology patients.