Associations between Dietary Intakes and the Gut Microbiome in Children
with Solid Tumors after Chemotherapy and Healthy Controls
Abstract
Background: Malnutrition is a common complication in children with
cancer. Cancer treatment and malnutrition can disrupt gut microbiome
diversity and composition. This study aims to compare the dietary
intakes between children with solid tumors post-chemotherapy and healthy
controls, and investigate associations between the dietary intakes and
the gut microbiome. Procedure: Children (7-18 years) with solid tumors
were recruited during year 1 after the completion of chemotherapy from
Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, Georgia. Healthy controls
were recruited via flyers. Children completed the Block Kids Food
Screener for dietary intakes in the past week. Fecal specimens were
collected and processed for the gut microbiome. QIIME2 and Mann-Whitney
U tests were conducted to answer the research questions. Results:
Forty-nine children (25 cancers vs 24 controls) were analyzed. Two
groups had no differences in age, race, sex, and body mass index.
Children with solid tumors reported significantly higher mean daily
intakes of macronutrients: calories, protein, fat, carbohydrate, and
fiber, and antioxidant nutrients (vitamin E, vitamin C, and selenium)
than controls. Children with adequate vitamin B6 had a higher Chao1
diversity index than children with inadequate or excessive intake (P =
0.0004). Children with excessive selenium intake had a trend of higher
Pielou’s_e index than children with inadequate intake (P = 0.091).
Conclusion: Children with cancer reported significantly higher intakes
of macronutrients and antioxidant nutrients than healthy children, but
no differences in major energy ratios. Macronutrients, particularly
antioxidant nutrients, were associated with disruptions of the gut
microbiome in children with solid tumors.