Oral mucositis treatment and management in paediatric oncology: a review of Australasian clinical practice guidelines for health care professionals

The incidence of childhood cancer among children and young people is on the rise and remains the major cause of death amongst children internationally.

Fortunately, due to advances in chemotherapy treatment, the survival rate amongst children with cancer has improved but these improvements are unfortunately associated with toxic treatment side effects such as nausea, pain and oral mucositis (OM).

The aim of this project was to assess the availability, quality and consistency of recommendations for the prevention and management of OM in children receiving chemotherapy in Australasia. A review was undertaken on the available Australasian clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) on the prevention and management of OM in children receiving oncology treatment. Findings Four Australasian CPGs met the inclusion criteria – The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, Cancer Institute New South Wales, Sydney Children’s Hospital and Starship Children’s Hospital in Auckland. Analysis of the four CPGs generated five themes – education, assessment and risk stratification, mouth care medications, treatment of thrush, and treatment for an established OM.

Article

• Blamires, J., Hokoza, C., Milner, D., Wainhouse, S., & Foster, M. J. (2022). Oral mucositis treatment and management in paediatric oncology: A review of Australasian clinical practice guidelines for healthcare professionals. Journal of Children and Young People’s Health, 3(3), 16–23. https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.820869880750657