PATIENTS AND METHODS
New oncology patients referred to British Columbia Children’s Hospital
(BCCH) were assessed for eligibility. Patients had to be at least six
months old and have an oncology diagnosis that required chemotherapy
treatment. A delegated study physician obtained informed consent. The
study and consent/assent forms were approved by our Institutional Review
Board.
Patients had micronutrient levels assessed at the time of routine blood
work as close to the time of diagnosis as possible, but no longer than
four weeks from diagnosis. Height, weight, and BMI Z scores were
calculated. Repeat micronutrient evaluations were undertaken
approximately six months after diagnosis. All data were entered into a
secure REDCap database. At the conclusion of the study, guardians were
interviewed to ascertain whether their child was on any supplements at
the time of diagnosis and/or during the first six months of
chemotherapy. Micronutrient levels were measured in the Hospital’s
Biochemistry Laboratory. Results were not entered into the patient
clinical charts to keep the results blinded to clinical staff, as
requested by the physician staff. A patient was considered deficient if
one or more of the six micronutrients were below the normal designated
value for their age. Specific side effects/adverse events were
documented on the clinical charts according to the Children’s Oncology
Group (COG) reporting standards.