Abstract

Background: Chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (CIOM) is a painful side effect in pediatric oncology patients that reduces quality of life and treatment adherence. Due to its anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and wound healing properties, honey may serve as a natural therapeutic option for CIOM. This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluate clinical evidence on honey’s effectiveness in preventing and treating CIOM in children.
Methods: Randomized controlled trials evaluating honey for chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in pediatric patients were identified through comprehensive searches of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. Data were extracted and analyzed using a random-effects meta-analysis in RevMan.
Results: The meta-analysis showed that honey significantly reduced the severity and incidence of oral mucositis compared to controls (MD = -2.07, 95% CI [-3.56, -0.59], p = 0.006; RR = 0.48, 95% CI [0.34, 0.66], p < 0.0001). Honey also shortened recovery time (MD = -6.03 days, 95% CI [-11.48, -0.58], p = 0.03) and reduced the incidence of severe grade III and IV mucositis (RR = 0.23, 95% CI [0.12, 0.44], p < 0.00001). These findings support the use of honey as a safe and effective option for managing chemotherapy-induced oral mucositis in pediatric patients.
Conclusion: The study highlights honey’s effectiveness as a natural intervention for oral mucositis in pediatric cancer patients. Honey reduces the severity, incidence, and recovery time of mucositis and may prevent the most severe cases. Given its affordability and safety, honey is a valuable adjunct to supportive cancer care. Incorporating honey into routine oral care may improve treatment outcomes and increase acceptance among children with cancer.

Key words: Honey, Chemotherapy-Induced Oral Mucositis, Pediatric Oncology, Supportive Care, Mucositis.