Vitamin D Status in Pediatric Patients with Newly Diagnosed Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in University Hospital of Split

Abstract

Objective – Vitamin D mediates and enhances the immune system through a vitamin D nuclear receptor present in almost all types of immune cells. It has antiangiogenic, proapoptotic and antiproliferative effects. We investigated the vitamin D status of pediatric patients with newly diagnosed acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Patients and Methods – Newly diagnosed patients aged 0-18 years with acute lymphoblastic leukemia, hospitalized between September 1st, 2013 and June 30th, 2017 on the Hematology and Oncology Ward, Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Split were included in this study. Serum vitamin D levels were measured upon admission to the hospital. Vitamin D >75 nmol/L was considered sufficient, vitamin D between 50 and 75 nmol/L was considered insufficient, while vitamin D <50 nmol/L was considered as a deficiency.

Results – Twenty patients were included in the study. Only two patients had a sufficient level of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 14 and insufficiency in 4 patients. The mean concentration of vitamin D in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in this study was 42.6±21.2 nmol/L.

Conclusion – The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency in pediatric patients with a malignant disease is very high. Therefore adequate replacement therapy should be started as soon as possible to avoid a further decrease in vitamin D levels, as this may have an impact on the outcome in these patients.