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Serum selenium in children during anti-cancer chemotherapy
1Children's Hospital, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Insights
Serum selenium levels were low at diagnosis in children with acute leukaemia but increased during treatment. However, serum selenium is not a reliable indicator of selenium status in these pediatric cancer patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Oncology
- Nutritional Biochemistry
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Selenium is an essential trace element crucial for various physiological functions.
- Nutritional status, including selenium levels, can be affected by serious illnesses like cancer.
- Accurate assessment of nutrient status is vital for patient management and treatment outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate serum selenium concentration as an indicator of selenium status in children with acute leukaemia or solid tumours.
- To compare selenium status between children with acute leukaemia and solid tumours at diagnosis and during treatment.
- To assess the impact of corticosteroid treatment on serum selenium levels in pediatric cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- A 6-month longitudinal study involving 24 children diagnosed with acute leukaemia or solid tumours.
- Measurement of serum selenium concentration at diagnosis and at regular intervals during treatment.
- Assessment of protein nutritional status using serum albumin and prealbumin levels.
Main Results:
- Children with acute leukaemia exhibited lower serum selenium at diagnosis compared to those with solid tumours (P=0.001).
- Serum selenium levels increased significantly (mean 111%) during corticosteroid treatment in acute leukaemia patients.
- Serum selenium concentrations normalized within the reference range for healthy children during the study period for both groups.
Conclusions:
- Serum selenium levels fluctuate significantly during cancer treatment, particularly with corticosteroid use.
- The findings suggest a redistribution of endogenous selenium stores rather than a change in overall selenium status.
- Serum selenium concentration alone may not be a valid or reliable indicator of selenium status in pediatric cancer patients undergoing treatment.
Abstract:
Serum selenium concentration as an indicator of selenium status was studied during a 6-month period in 24 children with acute leukaemia or solid tumours. At diagnosis low serum selenium values were found in children with acute leukaemia compared to children with solid tumours (P = 0.001), while there were no differences in the protein nutritional status of these children as assessed by serum albumin and prealbumin. During the corticosteroid treatment serum selenium levels increased (mean of 111 per cent) in children with acute leukaemia. The concentrations of serum selenium remained within the reference range of healthy Finnish children from week 16 onwards in children with acute leukaemia and throughout the study period of 24 weeks in children with solid tumours. The results suggest redistribution of the endogenous selenium stores since no selenium supplementation was used, and demonstrate that serum selenium is not a valid indicator of selenium status in these cases.