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Higher osteocalcin levels and cross-links excretion in young men born with low birth weight
M Szathmári1, B Vásárhelyi, M Szabó
1First Department of Medicine, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary.
Insights
Young men born with low birth weight (LBW) exhibit accelerated bone turnover, but their bone density remains normal. This accelerated bone metabolism is well-balanced in early adulthood, suggesting potential links to hormonal factors.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Bone Metabolism
- Pediatric Growth
Background:
- Infants born with low birth weight (LBW) often achieve normal adult height due to accelerated growth.
- Limited data exist on bone density and turnover in young adults who experienced LBW, particularly after skeletal development is complete.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate bone turnover and bone density in young adult men born with LBW.
- To compare bone health markers between LBW subgroups (small for gestational age [SGA] and appropriate for gestational age [AGA]) and controls.
Main Methods:
- Assessed bone mineral density (lumbar spine, femoral neck, radius) in 49 LBW men and 16 controls.
- Measured serum calcium, osteocalcin (OC), total alkaline phosphatase (AP), and urinary pyridinoline (PYD) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD).
- Analyzed calcium homeostasis markers, including fractional calcium excretion.
Main Results:
- Bone mineral densities were comparable across LBW and control groups.
- LBW groups showed significantly higher serum calcium, OC, AP, and urinary DPD levels compared to controls.
- Fractional calcium excretion was lower in LBW individuals, with correlations observed between bone turnover markers and birth weight.
Conclusions:
- Young adult men born with LBW demonstrate accelerated bone turnover that is well-balanced.
- Further research is required to elucidate the relationship between accelerated bone turnover and hormonal homeostasis in LBW individuals.
Abstract:
As the result of accelerated growth, the final height of infants born with low birth weight (LBW) is near to the normal. Limited data are available about the bone density and bone turnover just after completion of skeletal development. We have investigated the bone turnover and bone density in 49 apparently healthy young LBW men (age 19-21 years; 21 born small for gestational age (SGA) and 28 appropriate for gestational age (AGA)) and in 16 age-matched controls. Bone mineral density of lumbar spine, femoral neck, and radius midshaft, the markers of calcium homeostasis, biochemical parameters of bone turnover as serum osteocalcin (OC), and urinary pyridinoline (PYD) and deoxypyridinoline (DPD) levels were measured. Bone mineral densities of LBW subjects were not altered. Serum calcium (SGA: 2.44+/-0.15; AGA:2.41+/-0.17, control: 2.25+/-0.09 mmol/liter, P < 0.05), OC (SGA:23.4+/-9.9; AGA:20.8+/-7.6; control:13.3+/-4.6 ng/ml, P < 0.01), total alkaline phosphatase (AP) (SGA:201+/-61; AGA:193+/-81, control: 117+/-34 IU/liter, P < 0.01), and urinary DPD/creat (ln.values: SGA:3.10+/-0.48; AGA:3.17+/-0.46; control:2.58+/-0.57 nmol/mmol, P < 0.05) were higher, whereas fractional excretion of calcium (SGA:0.94+/-0.470; AGA: 1.03+/-0.51, control:1.31+/-0.75%, P < 0.05) was lower in both SGA and AGA groups. PTH and 25OHD were not different. Significant correlation was obtained between seCa, OC, AP, DPD and birth weight of the subjects, but feCa correlated inversely to the birth weight. It was concluded that the bone turnover of LBW men is accelerated, but well balanced in young adulthood. Further investigation is needed to describe the possible link between accelerated bone turnover and hormonal homeostasis of LBW subjects.