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What is your institutional approach to a restrictive “neutropenic diet”?

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In what situations do you or your institution enforce or recommend a neutropenic or low bacteria?

34 physicians have voted

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3 Answers
Mednet Member
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology · UMass Chan Medical School
Answered on

Simple answer: never. The "neutropenic diet" has no efficacy and may actually be nutritionally AND microbially inferior to normal diet. This has been shown by multiple studies. I like the title of the review, "Things We Do For No Reason: Neutropenic Diet."

  1. Ma et al., PMID 35356218.
  2. Radhakrishnan et ...

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Mednet Member
Mednet MemberInvited Expert
Medical Oncology · Roswell Park Cancer Center
Answered on

Our institutional policy is to place all neutropenic patients (ANC <500) on a "neutropenic diet" which limits exposure to raw and uncooked foods. Recently, this has become far less restrictive but still is standard for all patients who are anticipated to have prolonged neutropenia (i.e. > 7 days).

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Mednet Member
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology · The Cleveland Clinic Foundation
Answered on

Any patient with ANC<500 with anticipated prolonged neutropenia.

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