International Initiative for Pediatrics and Nutrition (IIPAN)

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA) – Hospital do Câncer I

IIPAN Center & Collaborators

Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA) – Hospital do Câncer I

Hospital do Câncer I is the Brazilian Nacional Cancer Institute (INCA) clinical center which treats childhood cancer in Rio de Janeiro, located in the Southeast of Brazil. Approximately 250 new cases of childhood cancer are diagnosed in INCA each year. Economic disparities in Rio de Janeiro leads to food insecurity, present in over 32% of the population, and undernutrition, with 8% of the children younger than 5 years old being wasted and 17% stunted. The large presence of disadvantaged communities enhances children’s risk of malnutrition and subjects them to further complications throughout the spectrum of cancer care.

IIPAN’s medical collaborator is Dr. Sima Ferman, chief pediatric oncologist. The IIPAN nutritionist, Carolina Fernandes is establishing nutrition standards of care for children with solid tumors. INCA is also working with the global IIPAN team in advancing our understanding of nutrition in children with solid tumors.

Site Challenges

  • Socioeconomic disparities.
  • Increasing prevalence of overweight/obesity.
  • Little training in nutrition methodology and research.
  • Lack of mentorship for nutritionists.

Site Needs

doctor walking with a child patient in the hospital
  • Family and patient education on basics in nutrition.
  • Approaches to address food security.
  • Clinical program development and advancing nutrition research.

(Image Source: www.inca.gov.br)