Vitamin D levels very low for some childhood cancers, then got lower
Vitamin D levels differ by cancer diagnosis and decline over time in survivors of childhood cancer†
Pediatric Blood & Cancer DOI: 10.1002/pbc.24349
Galit P. Rosen MD1,2,*, Kristen L. Beebe MS, PA-C1,3, Gabriel Q. Shaibi PhD4,5
1 Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona
2 Department of Child Health, UA College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, Arizona
3 Division of Hematology/Oncology, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona
4 Division of Endocrinology and Diabetes, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, Arizona
5 College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Arizona State University, Phoenix, Arizona
Email: Galit P. Rosen MD ([email protected]) Article first published online: 28 SEP 2012
The aim of this study was to evaluate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations in survivors of childhood cancer and compare levels by underlying diagnosis and as a function of time.
Procedure
A retrospective review of 201 pediatric cancer survivors enrolled in a hospital-based cancer survivor registry. Demographic characteristics and 25OHD levels were extracted from the registry. Vitamin D status was determined during routine clinical care and was categorized as normal, insufficient, or deficient.
Results
25OHD levels differed significantly across diagnoses (P?=?0.017), with the lowest levels found in patients treated for
osteosarcoma,
retinoblastoma,
hepatoblastoma, and
myeloid leukemias.
Age was inversely correlated with 25OHD levels (P?=?0.03). Average 25OHD level at study entry was 29.8?ng/ml (range: 5–79.7), with 14.4% vitamin D deficient, 39.3% insufficient, and 46.3% normal. 25OHD concentrations decreased 11.4% over time (P?
Conclusion
Fewer than half of childhood cancer survivors have normal 25OHD concentrations , which further declined over time.
Patients with solid tumors were the most affected, despite their lack of routine exposure to glucocorticoids.
Future investigations should focus on why vitamin D level varies by diagnosis and how best to replete in this population.
Vitamin D Life - Infant-Child and Cancer
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Vitamin D Life - Youth and Cancer
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