Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Pre-clinical Evaluation of Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors for Treatment of Acute Leukemia
Published on: September 18, 2013
Vitamin D Status in Pediatric Oncology Patients in Lebanon: A Comparison With Non-oncology Controls in a Case-Control
1Pediatrics and Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese University, Beirut, LBN.
Abstract:
Background and objective Children diagnosed with cancer are more likely to have vitamin D problems due to compromised health before diagnosis, the disease itself, and cancer treatments. Previous studies, although limited in scope, have shown an elevated prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in pediatric oncology patients. This study aimed to describe the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among children with cancer in Lebanon. Design and methods This was an unmatched case-control study comparing vitamin D levels among children living in Lebanon diagnosed with cancer (cases) with those of children without cancer (controls) in Lebanon. Serum vitamin D levels were determined for both cases and controls. Patients were classified according to the Endocrine Society recommendations: deficiency (25(OH)D ≤ 20 ng/mL), insufficiency (25(OH)D 21-29 ng/mL), and normal levels (25(OH)D ≥ 30 ng/mL). Vitamin D status was evaluated by categorizing patients into two groups: hypovitaminosis D, defined as 25(OH)D levels < 30 ng/mL, and normal levels, defined as 25(OH)D levels ≥ 30 ng/mL. Results This unmatched case-control study included a total of 268 patients, with 67 oncology pediatric patients (cases) and 201 participants who were non-oncology pediatric patients (controls). The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency among children with cancer was 11 (16.45%) and 54 (80.6%), respectively. In contrast, among non-oncology patients, 103 (51.2%) showed vitamin D insufficiency, and 57 (28.4%) had vitamin D deficiency. There was a significant association between having cancer and vitamin D hypovitaminosis. Age was significantly associated with vitamin D levels among children with cancer, with older children having lower vitamin D levels. Conclusion Among children diagnosed with cancer, a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is observed, underscoring the significance of early detection and supplementation in this specific population.
