[Bone mineral density in inflammatory bowel diseases in children]

determination of bone mineral density in children treated because of inflammatory bowel diseases.

42 patients were included: 21 with ulcerative colitis and 21 with Crohn's disease. The duration of illness was from 2.0-24.0 months. Glucocorticoid therapy was applied in 92.9% of patients with the duration from 4-1680 days. The cumulative doses of glucocorticoids were from 160 to 25900 mg. Bone mineral density (BMD) and z-score of L1-L4 were assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The mean BMD of L1-L4 were measured in g/cm2 and compared with referential values for gender and age. Osteopenia (ope) mean z-score from -1 to -2 SD, osteoporosis (opo) < -2 SD were accepted.

BMD values varied from 0.531 to 1.301 g/cm. Z-score values varied from 0.9 to -5.6 SD. Bone mineral disturbances occurred in 57.2% of cases and it was equally both in 28.6% of cases osteoporosis and osteopenia. In ulcerative colitis osteopenia was predominant (23.8%), while in Crohn's disease osteoporosis occurred more often (23.8%). There was no significance in the duration time of the disease and BMD and z-score. The significant difference was found in the duration of steroid therapy and z-score. No association was found among cumulative dose of steroids and z-score. No significant differences were found in BMD and z-score of lumbar spine in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease.

1. Bone mineral disturbances often complicate inflammatory bowel diseases in children. 2. The association among the duration time of steroid therapy and bone mineral density was confirmed. 3. No significant differences were found in bone mineral density among colitis ulcerasa and Crohn's disease cases.