Neutropenic Dietary Restrictions for Hematopoietic Stem Cell Patients: Time for a Change

In the 1960s and 70s, eradication of host bacteria was thought to be achievable and beneficial to avoiding infection in the immunocompromised host. At that time, patients were fed autoclaved, sterile foods and kept in totally protected environments1. Over time, there became an obvious need to liberalize dietary options in these patients as the sterile foods were not palatable, nor did they provide enough variety [1]. The neutropenic diet was invented to meet this need and essentially eliminates certain food groups, most commonly raw fruits and vegetables, which contain bacteria, in an effort to decrease bacterial content and potential pathogens from colonizing the gastrointestinal tract.
Source: Biology of Blood and Marrow Transplantation - Category: Hematology Authors: Source Type: research