Patients will be randomized to receive either twice-daily intraoral grape-flavored xylitol-wipe (intervention arm) or grape-flavored saline wipe (control arm) application in addition to the current standard of care (SOC). The purpose of this study is to determine whether xylitol wipes are effective at reducing bloodstream infections (BSIs), dental plaque, mucositis (redness and ulcers in the mouth), or gingivitis in patients who undergo hematopoietic stem cell transplant.
Bloodstream infections (BSI) caused by bacteria translocating across injured oral mucosa are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing stem cell transplantation (SCT). Unfortunately, there are currently no known strategies to prevent these BSI in this vulnerable population. The investigators will conduct a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial at three institutions to evaluate the effectiveness of twice daily intraoral xylitol-wipe application on reducing BSI in pediatric SCT patients.