Smell and taste changes

Background

Smell and taste changes seem a prominent reason for inadequate food intake among children with cancer during chemotherapy, consequently affecting nutritional status. Poor nutritional status is associated with worse survival, high prevalence rates of bacterial infections, and a lower quality of life. Studies investigating smell and taste changes in children with cancer, including objective measurements, are rare. Several clinical studies (Sensory study, SENSORY-2 study) will be performed to explore characteristics and consequences of chemotherapy-induced smell and taste changes in pediatric oncology patients.

Aims

The aims of these studies are to insight into chemotherapy-induced smell and taste changes among pediatric oncology patients and its possible consequences regarding food intake, eating behaviour, nutritional status, and quality of life. The results of these clinical studies may lead to new (dietary) advice or strategies to solve this problem.

In the Spotlight 📢

Results from this research project has been published for a general public in the Dutch AD journal. Read more here:

'Cola smaakt naar kots’: reuk en smaak verandert ook bij kinderen aan chemo, zo blijkt uit nieuw onderzoek
['Coke tastes like puke': smell and taste changes even in children on chemo, new research shows]

See also this report by the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology: Smell and taste changes in children with cancer.

Project Outcomes

• van den Brink M, Havermans RC, Fiocco M, Tissing WJE (2024). A longitudinal evaluation of smell and taste function in children with cancer during and after treatment with chemotherapy. Appetite, 193:107174. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107174

• van den Brink M*, Been R*, Grootenhuis MA, van Gorp M, Maaskant J, Fiocco M, Havermans RC, de Vos-Kerkhof E, Tissing WJE, Brinksma A (2023). Nausea and nausea-related problems in children with cancer: prevalence, severity, and risk factors during the first year of treatment. EJC Paediatric Oncology, 2(4):100128. doi: 10.1016/j.ejcped.2023.100128

• van den Brink M, IJpma I, Fiocco M, Tissing WJE, Havermans RC (2022). Taste Function in Children: Normative Values and Associated Factors. Pediatr Res, 92:1175–1180. doi: 10.1038/s41390-021-01920-w

• van den Brink M, IJpma I, van Belkom B, Fiocco M, Havermans RC, Tissing WJE (2021). Smell and Taste Function in Childhood Cancer Patients: A Feasibility Study. Support Care Cancer, 29(3):1619-1628. doi: 10.1007/s00520-020-05650-3

• van den Brink M, IJpma I, Tissing WJE, Havermans RC (2021). Taste dysfunction in children – a clinical perspective and review of assessment methods. Chem Senses, 46:bjab035. doi: 10.1093/chemse/bjab035

Team

• Drs. M. van den Brink, PhD candidate at Maastricht University Campus Venlo & Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology

• Prof. dr. M. Fiocco, Mathematical Institute Leiden University, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology & Department of Biomedical Data Sciences Leiden University Medical Center

• Prof. dr. R.C. Havermans, Laboratory of Behavioural Gastronomy, Centre for Healthy Eating and Food Innovation, Maastricht University Campus Venlo

• Prof. dr. W.J.E. Tissing, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology & Department of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology, University of Groningen, Beatrix Children’s Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen