Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 13, 2026
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Birth weight and adult bone mass: a systematic literature review
M M Schlüssel1, J dos Santos Vaz, G Kac
1Institute of Nutrition Josué de Castro, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Insights
Higher birth weight (BW) is linked to greater bone mineral content (BMC) in adulthood, more so than bone mineral density (BMD). This association is crucial, as reduced BMC increases fracture risk.
Area of Science:
- Human Physiology
- Bone Metabolism
- Public Health
Background:
- Adult bone mass is influenced by early life factors.
- Understanding the relationship between birth weight and bone health is critical for long-term skeletal integrity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing literature on the association between birth weight and adult bone mass.
- To synthesize findings regarding birth weight's impact on bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD).
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of English-language articles indexed in MEDLINE.
- Keywords included "birth weight" and various bone health parameters (e.g., "bone mass", "bone mineral content").
- Methodological quality appraisal of reviewed studies was conducted.
Main Results:
- Sixteen studies were reviewed, with a stronger association observed between birth weight and bone mineral content (BMC) compared to bone mineral density (BMD).
- Eleven of thirteen studies measuring BMC found a positive effect of birth weight, with nine maintaining significance after adjusting for adult body size.
- Only two studies reported sustained significance for the birth weight-bone mineral density (BMD) association after adjustment.
Conclusions:
- Evidence suggests a probable positive association between birth weight and adult bone mineral content (BMC), rather than bone mineral density (BMD).
- This finding holds significant implications for clinical practice and public health, given that reduced BMC is a strong predictor of fracture risk.
- Further research is needed due to limitations in sample characteristics, investigated bone sites, and analysis procedures in existing studies.
Summary:
This systematic literature review comprised 16 studies. The association of birth weight with bone parameters was much more evident for bone mineral content (BMC) rather than bone mineral density (BMD). This is an important finding since a reduction in BMC is strongly associated with an increased risk of fractures.
Introduction:
The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic literature review of studies that have investigated the association between birth weight (BW) and adult bone mass.
Methods:
The search included English language articles, indexed in MEDLINE, using the key words: ("birth size" OR "birth weight" OR birthweight) AND (osteoporosis OR "bone mass" OR "bone density" OR "bone mineral density" OR "bone mineral content" OR "bone area"). A methodological quality appraisal of the reviewed studies was performed.
Results:
Sixteen articles were reviewed. Eleven of 13 studies that measured BMC verified a positive effect of BW on this parameter, and nine even after adjustment for adult body size. Among the ten studies that found an unadjusted association between BW and BMD, two reported that the significance remained after adjustment for current body size. Interaction between prenatal and postnatal variables on the determination of adult bone mass was only tested by two studies. The results must be interpreted with caution due to the existence of few papers on the issue, as well as heterogeneous sample characteristics, investigated bone sites, and implemented analysis procedures. The aspects of methodological quality that frequently fail are as follows: representativeness of the planned and actually measured sample as well as proper adjustment for confounding.
Conclusion:
Based on the amount of accumulated evidence, it is probable that BW have a positive association with adult BMC rather than BMD, which is an important finding for clinical and public health policies since a reduction in BMC is strongly associated with an increased fracture risk.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:20Introduction to the Skeletal System
Components of the Skeletal System
Bone, or osseous tissue, is a hard connective tissue that forms an internal support structure for the human body. Bones shield vulnerable organs and soft tissue from external forces. For example, the vertebral bones protect and support the spinal cord.
Cartilage, a semi-rigid connective tissue found in regions such as...
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
01:55Bone Structure
01:31Osteoclasts in Bone Remodeling
01:27Growth of Cartilage and Bone Tissue