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Foetal and postnatal growth and bone mass at 6 months: the Generation R Study

Lamise Ay1, Vincent W V Jaddoe, Albert Hofman

  • 1The Generation R Study Group, Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. l.ay@erasmusmc.nl

Clinical Endocrinology
|November 6, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Infant bone mass at 6 months is linked to growth patterns during pregnancy and early life. Healthy weight gain and avoiding low weight are crucial for optimal bone mineral density in infancy.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Bone Health
  • Growth and Development
  • Nutritional Epidemiology

Background:

  • Bone acquisition is influenced by genetic and environmental factors.
  • Understanding early life influences on bone mass is critical for long-term skeletal health.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate associations between parental, fetal, and postnatal characteristics and growth patterns with bone mass at 6 months of age.
  • To identify key growth periods impacting infant bone acquisition.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective cohort study (Generation R Study) from early fetal life.
  • Bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) measured by DXA in 252 infants at 6 months.
  • Data collected via ultrasound and questionnaires on parental, fetal, and postnatal factors.

Main Results:

  • Maternal, fetal, and postnatal anthropometrics positively correlated with total body bone mineral density (BMD(TB)) and bone mineral content (BMC(TB)).
  • Fetal weight gain and prenatal catch-up positively associated with BMD(TB); postnatal weight gain associated with lumbar spine BMD (BMD(LS)).
  • Weight catch-up reduced risk of low bone mass; consistently low weight from birth to 6 months significantly increased risk of low BMD(TB).

Conclusions:

  • Fetal and postnatal growth patterns significantly influence infant bone mass.
  • These early life growth patterns may have long-term implications for bone health into adulthood.
  • Further research needed to confirm the lasting effects of maternal and growth factors on adult bone status.
Abstract

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