Nutritional strategies and interventions in pediatric oncology: an integrative review

Abstract

Objective: To identify the available evidence in the literature regarding recommended nutritional strategies for the clinical support of children and adolescents undergoing cancer treatment. Methods: An Integrative Literature Review was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and VHL databases, considering publications from 2020 to 2025 in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Selection followed the PRISMA flowchart and utilized the Rayyan platform for screening, resulting in the qualitative analysis of 9 articles focused on dietary interventions, supplementation, and health education. Results: Findings were categorized into three axes: screening protocols, immunonutrients, and behavioral strategies. The implementation of anticipatory protocols reduced treatment toxicity and acute malnutrition. The use of immunonutrients and playful strategies improved food acceptance, although the use of natural foods requires strict microbiological caution. The need to manage the double nutritional burden (malnutrition and obesity) in survivors was also observed. Conclusion: Nutrition is consolidated as an active therapeutic strategy capable of mitigating toxicities and improving prognosis. The study strengthens clinical practice by compiling effective multimodal interventions, although the methodological heterogeneity of primary articles limits the absolute generalization of results.