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[Regional variation in bone mineral density and motor function in children with cerebral palsy]
J Shiragaki1, N Iwasaki, J Nakayama
1Doctoral Program in Special Education, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaragi.
Insights
Children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) have lower bone mineral density (BMD) and upper extremity motor activity compared to healthy peers. Higher mobility correlated with increased BMD, suggesting a link to fracture risk.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Orthopedics
- Neurology
Context:
- Spastic cerebral palsy (CP) affects motor function, potentially impacting bone health.
- Bone mineral density (BMD) and motor activity are crucial indicators of skeletal health.
Purpose:
- To investigate the relationship between BMD and upper extremity motor activity in children with spastic CP.
- To compare BMD and motor activity in children with CP versus healthy controls.
Summary:
- Children with spastic CP exhibited lower whole-body and regional BMD (especially pelvis and lower limbs) compared to controls.
- Reduced upper extremity motor activity was observed in the CP group.
- BMD positively correlated with motor activity, with higher BMD in ambulatory CP patients.
Impact:
- Findings suggest that diminished BMD in weight-bearing areas contributes to the high incidence of femur fractures in children with CP.
- Highlights the importance of physical activity and mobility for bone health in pediatric CP.
- Informs potential therapeutic strategies to mitigate fracture risk in this population.
Abstract:
Bone mineral density (BMD) and motor activity of the upper extremities, were studied in 18 children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP group) and 12 age-matched normal boys (control group). The motor activity was monitored by a piezoelectric transducer. Whole body BMD as well as BMD of the head, upper limbs, ribs, spine, pelvis, and lower limbs was evaluated by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. In the CP group, BMDs were lower compared to control group in the whole body and in all the body regions (except for the head) especially in the pelvis and lower limbs. BMDs of these regions were higher in walking patients than in bed-ridden, rolling, and crawling patients. Motor activities in the upper extremities were lower in the CP than in the control group. BMD increased with developing motor activity in the upper extremities. These results implicate diminished BMDs of the lower limbs and pelvis, which are associated with standing and walking, to the high incidence of femur fractures in CP.