http://jnep.sciedupress.com Journal of Nursing Education and Practice 2018, Vol. 8, No. 8 REVIEWS Patient and family management of mucositis in children and adolescents with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia undergoing chemotherapy in Qatar: A narrative review Reni Anil, Vahe Kehyayan * , Jessie M. Johnson University of Calgary in Qatar, Doha, Qatar Received: February 4, 2018 Accepted: April 1, 2018 Online Published: April 10, 2018 DOI: 10.5430/jnep.v8n8p114 URL: https://doi.org/10.5430/jnep.v8n8p114 ABSTRACT Objective: Currently oral mucositis in children and adolescents is a growing concern and requires emphasis on dental care, initial and ongoing assessment of the oral cavity, oral care, tooth brushing and oral rinses, as well as pain management. The purpose of this narrative review is to highlight the need and to outline the importance of assessment, treatment and care of children and adolescents while they go through chemotherapy treatments. It is during this treatment that oral mucositis is most prevalent due to the breakdown of rapidly dividing cells. Methods: Narrative review. Results: Providing planned mouth care education to patients and parents is useful in preventing and managing oral mucositis. Conclusions: Oral mucositis affects more than 75% of children and adolescents undergoing chemotherapy and places a significant burden on patients and caregivers. Severity of oral mucositis can range from mild, painless tissue changes to bleeding ulcerations that may prevent oral intake of nutrients and require narcotic analgesics to control associated pain. Oral mucositis also leads to an increased risk of infection and often delays further chemotherapy regimens. The peer reviewed literature supports structured patient and family education. Key Words: Oral mucositis, Oral care, Cancer, Acute lymphocytic leukemia, Children, Adolescents 1. I NTRODUCTION Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide. [1] Among children five to 14 years of age, cancer is emerging as the second leading cause of death in Asia, Central and South America, North America, and the Middle East. [2] In this age group, leukemia, brain cancer, and lymphoma are the most prevalent. Experts recommend that cancers in children and adolescents should be treated in specialized cancer centers. [2] These specialized cancer centers have specialized multidis- ciplinary teams comprising medicine and nursing who will be able to respond to the individual needs of these children and their families. Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) accounts for about 25% of all childhood malignancies. [3] A ten-year report (1998-2007) on the incidence of leukemia in nationals in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates indicates 33.4% in males and 32.5% in females among children aged above zero to 14 years old. [4] * Correspondence: Vahe Kehyayan; Email: vkehyaya@ucalgary.ca; Address: University of Calgary in Qatar, Doha, Qatar. 114 ISSN 1925-4040 E-ISSN 1925-4059