Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are related to serious sequelae in childhood cancer survivors. However, data on vitamin D deficiency in children with newly diagnosed cancer are scarce and therefore the role of sociodemographic factors and vitamin D supplementation is essentially unknown. We assessed vitamin D status and its socio-demographic and clinical correlates in 163 children with newly diagnosed cancer, using 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and assessed longitudinal changes following vitamin D supplementation. Sixty-five percent of the patients with newly diagnosed cancer had low 25(OH)D concentrations. Fifty-two patients (32%) were vitamin D deficient (≤20 ng/mL 25(OH)D concentration), and 53(33%) were insufficient (21-29 ng/mL 25(OH)D concentration). Age over 10 (P = 0.019), Hispanic ethnicity (P = 0.002), and feminine sex (P = 0.008) were significantly related to lower 25(OH)D concentration at diagnosis. vitamin D supplementation resulted in significant increase in 25(OH)D concentrations (P < 0.001). However, following supplementation within the longitudinal analysis, this increase was less pronounced in Hispanic patients vs. non-Hispanic (P = 0.007), and in children with solid tumors vs. hematological malignancies (P = 0.003). vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are common in children with newly diagnosed cancer. Hispanic patients, females and older children were at higher risk for vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. Although supplementation seemed to increase 25(OH)D concentrations over time, this increase wasn't as pronounced in certain subsets of patients. Prospective trials of the consequences of vitamin D supplementation on bone health in children with newly diagnosed cancer are warranted, particularly in Hispanics and patients with solid tumors.
Awards 2020 of Pediatric meet at 32nd International Conference on Pediatric Nursing