Global Standards and Protocols for Oral Care in Pediatric Cancer Patients: Systematic Review Protocol

Introduction Childhood cancer is a global health challenge, with over 275,000 cases annually among individuals under 19 years. Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy lead to significant oral complications, including mucositis, xerostomia, and infections, adversely affecting treatment adherence and quality of life. Effective oral care is essential for mitigating these complications, particularly in resource-limited settings like India. Objectives This systematic review aims to identify, assess, and summarize global guidelines and protocols for oral care in pediatric cancer patients, focusing on the prevention and management of oral complications during treatment. Methods The protocol adheres to PRISMA-P guidelines and is registered with PROSPERO (CRD42024586488). A systematic search will be conducted across databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library, and websites of organizations such as WHO, PAHO, and NICE. Keywords will include “pediatric cancer,” “oral care,” and “guidelines.” Studies meeting inclusion criteria, i.e. guidelines developed for children aged 18 years and below, with cancer undergoing chemotherapy or radiation therapy, will be evaluated using the AGREE II tool for quality assessment. Data will be synthesized narratively. Results This review will provide a comprehensive synthesis of existing global guidelines, highlighting their recommendations, methodological rigor, and applicability. It will identify gaps and variations in standards, particularly for LMIC contexts like India. Conclusion The findings will support the development of evidence-based oral care protocols for pediatric cancer patients, aiming to enhance treatment outcomes and quality of life, especially in resource-limited settings. Dissemination of results will include publication in a Scopus-indexed journal and presentation at conferences.