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Iran J Ped Hematol Oncol 2026, 16(3): 900-908 |
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Dadfar S, Davoodi Z, Jaseb K, Najmeh N, Hematian F, Ganji R, et al . The Effectiveness of N-acetylcysteine in Preventing Oral Mucositis Induced by Chemotherapy among Children with Cancer: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Iran J Ped Hematol Oncol 2026; 16 (3) :900-908
URL: http://ijpho.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-1014-en.html
URL: http://ijpho.ssu.ac.ir/article-1-1014-en.html
Sepideh Dadfar 
, Zeinab Davoodi , Kaveh Jaseb , Najmeh Najmeh , Farzaneh Hematian * , Reza Ganji , Leila Kouti , Mohsen Ali Samir
, Zeinab Davoodi , Kaveh Jaseb , Najmeh Najmeh , Farzaneh Hematian * , Reza Ganji , Leila Kouti , Mohsen Ali Samir
Department of Pediatrics, Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Abouzar Hospital, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences Ahvaz, Iran. & Clinical Pharmacy Department, Faculty Of Pharmacy, Ahvaz jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
Abstract: (72 Views)
Background: Oral mucositis (OM) is a common chemotherapy complication in children, linked to oxidative stress. The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of oral N-acetylcysteine (NAC) compared to placebo in children with malignancy at risk of mucositis induced by chemotherapy.
Materials and Methods: The double-blind randomized controlled trial was performed on 80 children hospitalized in the oncology departments of Shahid Baghaei and Abuzar hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran. The patients were randomly assigned to NAC and placebo groups using a four-block randomization method. The NAC group received oral NAC (20–25 mg/kg on day 1, then 10–15 mg/kg daily for 14 days), while the control group received placebo. The outcomes included OM severity, fever duration, hospital stay, serum malondialdehyde (MDA), and adverse effects.
Results: The rate of no mucositis (grade 0) was higher in the NAC group (72.5% vs. 47.5%, P = 0.030), while severe mucositis (grade 3) occurred only in the control group (10% vs. 0%, P = 0.030). The duration of fever in the NAC and the control groups was 1.63 ± 2.04 and 3.68 ± 4.77 days, respectively (P = 0.016). The hospital stays in the NAC and control groups were significantly different (4.55 ± 1.01 vs. 5.8 ± 1.22, P = 0.001). The level of MDA on the seventh day was significantly different between the two groups (4.73 ± 0.36 µmol/L in the NAC group vs. 8.89 ± 0.26 µmol/L in the control group, P < 0.001). The level of MDA on the fifteenth day in the NAC and control groups was 2.76 ± 0.31 and 6.06 ± 0.23 µmol/L, respectively (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Given its role in reducing the severity of chemotherapy-induced mucositis, NAC may serve as an effective adjunct in pediatric oncology care alongside standard oral and dental hygiene measures.
Materials and Methods: The double-blind randomized controlled trial was performed on 80 children hospitalized in the oncology departments of Shahid Baghaei and Abuzar hospitals in Ahvaz, Iran. The patients were randomly assigned to NAC and placebo groups using a four-block randomization method. The NAC group received oral NAC (20–25 mg/kg on day 1, then 10–15 mg/kg daily for 14 days), while the control group received placebo. The outcomes included OM severity, fever duration, hospital stay, serum malondialdehyde (MDA), and adverse effects.
Results: The rate of no mucositis (grade 0) was higher in the NAC group (72.5% vs. 47.5%, P = 0.030), while severe mucositis (grade 3) occurred only in the control group (10% vs. 0%, P = 0.030). The duration of fever in the NAC and the control groups was 1.63 ± 2.04 and 3.68 ± 4.77 days, respectively (P = 0.016). The hospital stays in the NAC and control groups were significantly different (4.55 ± 1.01 vs. 5.8 ± 1.22, P = 0.001). The level of MDA on the seventh day was significantly different between the two groups (4.73 ± 0.36 µmol/L in the NAC group vs. 8.89 ± 0.26 µmol/L in the control group, P < 0.001). The level of MDA on the fifteenth day in the NAC and control groups was 2.76 ± 0.31 and 6.06 ± 0.23 µmol/L, respectively (P < 0.001).
Conclusion: Given its role in reducing the severity of chemotherapy-induced mucositis, NAC may serve as an effective adjunct in pediatric oncology care alongside standard oral and dental hygiene measures.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
pediatrics
Received: 2025/11/23 | Accepted: 2026/06/10 | Published: 2026/06/17
Received: 2025/11/23 | Accepted: 2026/06/10 | Published: 2026/06/17
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