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Observational Study
. 2024 Sep 4;23(1):218.
doi: 10.1186/s12904-024-01546-9.

Evaluation of serum vitamin B12 and D, iron, ferritin, folate, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels in children in palliative care clinic: a single-center cross-sectional study

Derşan Onur  1 , Sunanur Çiftçi Sadıkoğlu  2 , Nilgün Harputluoğlu  2   3 , Behzat Özkan  2   4
Affiliations
Observational Study

Evaluation of serum vitamin B12 and D, iron, ferritin, folate, calcium, phosphorus and magnesium levels in children in palliative care clinic: a single-center cross-sectional study

Derşan Onur et al. BMC Palliat Care. .

Abstract

Background: Pediatric palliative care (PPC) patients are at an elevated risk of malnutrition. Nutritional inadequacy can also cause micronutrient deficiencies. These factors can lead to weight loss, stunted growth, and poor quality of life. Despite the prevalence of these issues, limited research exists in the micronutrient status of PPC patients. The purpose of this study was to determine the vitamin B12 and D, iron, ferritin, folate, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium levels of PPC patients to contribute to a better understanding of their micronutrient needs as well as the appropriate management of diet and treatment approaches.

Methods: This was a single-center observational cross-sectional retrospective study. This study evaluated the levels of vitamin B12, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, iron, ferritin, folate, calcium, phosphorus, and magnesium in PPC patients. The patients were classified according to the Chronic Complex Conditions (CCC) v2 and then compared.

Results: A total of 3,144 micronutrient data points were collected from 822 hospitalizations of 364 patients. At least one micronutrient deficiency was identified in 96.9% of the patients. The most prevalent deficiencies were observed for iron, calcium, and phosphate. In addition, 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency was observed in one-third of patients. Calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, folate, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D were negatively correlated with age.

Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that micronutrient deficiencies are highly prevalent in PPC patients. These findings have the potential to contribute to improvements in the nutritional and therapeutic management of patients.

Keywords: Deficiency; Malnutrition; Micronutrient; Palliative care; Pediatric.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Scatter plot of calcium and magnesium levels by age. Each dot represents a single data point. Shading around the fitline represents 95% confidence interval. The top (green) histograms are for age and the right (orange) histograms are for micronutrient levels
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Scatter plot of phosphorus, folate and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels by age. Each dot represents a single data point. Shading around the fitline represents 95% confidence interval. The top (green) histograms are for age and the right (orange) histograms are for micronutrient levels
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