International Initiative for Pediatrics and Nutrition (IIPAN)

São Paulo, Brazil

Instituto de Tratamento do Câncer Infantil (ITACI)

IIPAN Center & Collaborators

The Instituto de Tratamento do Câncer Infantil (ITACI)

The Instituto de Tratamento do Câncer Infantil (ITACI) in the hematology-oncology department of the pediatric hospital is part of a tertiary state-owned university hospital complex, the largest in Latin America, located in São Paulo, Brazil. Approximately 300 new cases of childhood cancer are diagnosed each year in ITACI. Over 30% of the population of São Paulo state live in food insecurity and most families served by ITACI face socioeconomic difficulties. About 30% of patients come from other states as well as surrounding countries. IIPAN is an integral partner in advancing nutritional education and research for the institution who have served as a model in both the delivery of nutritional care and advancing high-quality research in nutrition.

Dr. Vicente Odone Filho, full professor of the Pediatric department, is the IIPAN collaborating pediatric oncologist. In collaboration with the regional clinical research manager for South America Dr. Karina Viani, who is located at ITACI, IIPAN is advancing clinical care and applying gold-standard research approaches to evaluate the role of nutritional therapy in several multicenter research studies.

Site Challenges

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

Site Needs

  • Family and patient education on basics in nutrition.
  • Approaches to address food security.
  • Clinical program development and advancing nutrition research.

(Image Source: www.itaci.org.br(link is external and opens in a new window))