@article {Szepetowskibmjspcare-2020-002753, author = {Sarah Szepetowski and Paul Saultier and Nicolas Andre and Vanessa Pauly and L. Lee Dupuis and Lillian Sung and Gabriel Revon-Rivi{\`e}re}, title = {Symptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool in children and adolescents with high-risk malignancies: a pilot study}, elocation-id = {bmjspcare-2020-002753}, year = {2021}, doi = {10.1136/bmjspcare-2020-002753}, publisher = {British Medical Journal Publishing Group}, abstract = {Objective Childhood and adolescent cancer can result in high burden of distressing symptoms, particularly in high-risk malignancies. The Symptom Screening in Pediatrics Tool (SSPedi) is a reliable and valid approach to measure bothersome symptoms in paediatric patients receiving cancer treatments. Objective was to describe the feasibility of using SSPedi administration among paediatric patients with high-risk malignancies.Methods We conducted a single-centre, cross-sectional study of patients aged 8{\textendash}18 years with high-risk malignancies in a French paediatric oncology unit. Patients self-reported the degree of bothersome symptoms using SSPedi and difficulty with SSPedi completion. The total SSPedi Score ranging from 0 to 60 (where 60 is worst) and most common moderately bothersome symptoms (scored >=2 on 0{\textendash}4 Likert Scale) were described. Feasibility was defined as more than 75\% of patients agreeing to participate and more than 90\% completion of SSPedi questionnaire.Results Out of 16 patients approached, 1 declined participation. Median age was 13 years (IQR 8{\textendash}19). All were able to self-report SSPedi without difficulty. Patients experienced a median number of 6 (range 0{\textendash}15) bothersome symptoms (score \>0). The mean total SSPedi Score was 12 (SD=9.4). Most common moderately bothersome symptoms were pain (8/15), changes in hunger (8/15) and feeling tired (7/15).Conclusion Patient-reported symptom assessment among children and adolescents with high-risk malignancies is feasible using SSPedi. These patients experience a high burden of bothersome symptoms.}, issn = {2045-435X}, URL = {https://spcare.bmj.com/content/early/2021/09/26/bmjspcare-2020-002753}, eprint = {https://spcare.bmj.com/content/early/2021/09/26/bmjspcare-2020-002753.full.pdf}, journal = {BMJ Supportive \& Palliative Care} }