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Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Bone mineral density in children and young adults with beta-thalassemia trait
Pat Mahachoklertwattana1, Ampaiwan Chuansumrit, Lulin Choubtum
1Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. rapmw@mahidol.ac.th
Background:
Homozygous beta-thalassemia is a hereditary hematological disease due to defective beta-globin synthesis. Consequently, there is ineffective erythropoiesis and increased peripheral hemolysis. Increased erythropoiesis in bone marrow results in expansion of marrow cavity and reduced bone mass. Patients with heterozygous beta-thalassemia or beta-thalassemia trait may have mild anemia, and consequently mildly increased erythropoiesis. Whether modestly increased erythropoiesis might decrease bone mass is not well established.
Objective:
To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) in children and young adults with beta-thalassemia trait.
Methods:
Thirty-one healthy young adults aged 20-45 yr and 26 healthy children aged 8-15 yr with beta-thalassemia trait were enrolled in the study. BMD was determined by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). Determinations of intact parathormone (PTH), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD), and bone markers were performed.
Results:
In adults, all had z-scores of BMD more than -2 above the mean. The mean z-scores of BMD of lumbar spine, radius and femoral neck were 0.11, -0.10 and 0.41, respectively. In children, only two of 26 had z-scores of lumbar spine BMD more than -2 below the mean. The mean z-scores of BMD of total body, lumbar spine, radius and femoral neck were 0.12, -0.28, 0.30 and -0.14, respectively. All subjects had normal PTH, 25-OHD and bone markers levels.
Conclusion:
beta-Thalassemia trait is not a contributing factor for osteopenia/osteoporosis in children and young adults.
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