Jakarta, July 13, 2019 - At present, the condition of multiple malnutrition in Indonesia, both stunting and obesity, is still a topic that is often discussed by the public. Basically, various malnutrition conditions are caused by nutrient intake that cannot meet or exceed the child's basic needs according to the stages of growth and development. However, there are often special conditions in children that require parents to pay more attention to their nutritional needs, such as children with cancer, so as not to experience malnutrition.
Desytha Rahma Dwi Utami, External Communication Manager for Early Life Nutrition and Medical Nutrition at Danone Indonesia in her opening remark, "The series of 'Talking Nutrition' activities is part of the commitment of the Danone business unit Specialized Nutrition division in Indonesia to continue to support education on the importance of nutrition at an important time life, including for pediatric patients with non-communicable diseases. Today, we are working with the Pita Kuning Foundation in implementing nutrition education and other entertainment activities to prevent malnutrition in pediatric patients with cancer. "
Fulfillment of balanced nutrition in children with non-communicable diseases is a challenge for parents. In Indonesia, there is 3-5% cancer prevalence in children (as many as 4156 cases). At present, there are up to 60% of pediatric patients with cancer diagnosed with malnutrition, depending on the type of cancer, type of therapy, and measurement method. But data on the condition of malnutrition in children with cancer still requires more in-depth research. Nonetheless, a study at Dr Kandou Hospital in Manado showed that 32.3% of children with malnutrition and 12.9% were obese assessed at the end of chemotherapy induction. Childhood cancer is the most common cause of child mortality in western countries.
Dr. Mururul Aisyi, Sp.A (K) explained, "At present, the incidence of cancer in children reaches 9 out of 100,000 children aged 0-17 years spread across Indonesia with various types, with the most frequent cases being leukemia, retinoblastoma, osteosarcoma , neuroblastoma, malignant lymphoma, carcinoma, and nasopharynx. Children with cancer do have their own challenges, especially in fluctuations in nutritional needs. However, it does not mean that children with cancer do not have the opportunity to have optimal growth and development. Instead, they need more attention to nutrition when undergoing medical treatment. "
Child patients with cancer are susceptible to various conditions of malnutrition due to increased energy consumption and impaired absorption of nutrients that can be caused by treatment / treatment, or the disease itself. Some types of treatment that can affect the condition of nutritional status are generally side effects of chemotherapy; such as vomiting, anorexia, and malabsorption; to an increase in appetite due to consumption of anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids. "In fact, it is important for pediatric patients with cancer to get optimal nutrition to balance the burden of the disease and maintain the body's functional capacity during the treatment period," continued Dr. Mururul.
Steny Agustaf, Chair of the Indonesian Pita Kuning Children Foundation, a non-profit organization concerned with child cancer issues in Indonesia explained, "From our experience so far in assisting cancer patients, we believe that the biggest change starts from families, especially parents to his son who is undergoing cancer treatment. Parents are the spearhead of their children's lives, so we need to provide useful knowledge to fathers and mothers in Pitakuning, one of which is to know the best nutrition for their children. So that parents can provide foods with the best nutrition for their children and the treatment process can run more optimally. "
Regarding the nutritional challenges that children with cancer have, Dr. Cut Nurul Hafifah, Sp.A explained, "Every child who has a problem in fulfilling nutrition is prone to malnutrition, especially children with non-communicable diseases such as cancer. Children with cancer generally experience increased energy and protein needs due to various complications. If nutritional problems are not addressed properly, children with cancer can have consequences such as stunting, increased risk of complications, decreased response and tolerance to treatment, easy relapse and decreased survival. "
Nutritional support is an important factor in the management of patients with non-communicable diseases in children. Not only to prevent malnutrition, the role of nutritional status can also have an impact on both the therapeutic response, quality of life, and the cost of health care for one PTM such as cancer. In fact, normal nutritional status can also be associated with better cancer cure rates. In some cases, one type of nutrition that can answer the fulfillment of nutrition is special medical processed food in the form of liquid or solid which has a high energy and protein content.
Furthermore, Dr. Cut added, "Providing nutritional intake that fits the needs of children with cancer should be followed by regular monitoring of health facilities, especially for pediatric patients with cancer that is still within the 1,000 First Day of Life. If not handled properly, the child will be threatened with stunting, which is a permanent physical and cognitive disorder caused by chronic malnutrition. Even if you have a non-communicable disease, it doesn't mean that your child's cognitive condition can be secondary. "
In addition to holding educational talk shows, dozens of Danone employees in Indonesia also participated in volunteering in the form of mentoring drawing activities guided by the Image Class community to participate in storytelling activities. Apart from organizing the event, Danone in Indonesia through the @nutrition nation account also created educational cancer-related content on children whose content was also disseminated by the Yellow Ribbon Foundation to members of their community. "We hope that the whole series of education and entertainment activities by our employees can increase public awareness and parents about the importance of fulfilling nutrition according to the needs of children, including children with cancer. Other useful information about information about nutrition and growth, can be accessed through the Nutrition for Nation digital channel, namely Instagram @NutrisiBangsa, twitter @nutrisi_bangsa, to facebook and the Nutrition for Nation microsite, "concluded Desytha.
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