Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 2, 2026
07:56
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Altered bone composition in children with vertebral fracture.
Inari S Tamminen1, Mervi K Mäyränpää, Mikael J Turunen
1Bone and Cartilage Research Unit, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland. inari.tamminen@uef.fi
Summary
Pediatric osteoporosis patients with vertebral fractures show altered bone composition, including lower carbonate levels and increased collagen maturity. These bone changes may increase fracture risk in children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Bone Biology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Primary osteoporosis in children can result in vertebral fractures.
- The relationship between bone composition and vertebral fractures in pediatric osteoporosis is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences in bone composition between children with and without vertebral fractures, who are at risk for primary osteoporosis.
- To assess bone composition using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic imaging (FTIRI) and bone histomorphometry.
Main Methods:
- Iliac crest bone biopsies were obtained from 24 children with suspected primary osteoporosis.
- Bone biopsies were analyzed using histomorphometry and FTIRI to calculate ratios of phosphate-to-amide I, carbonate-to-phosphate, carbonate-to-amide I, and collagen maturity.
- Children were categorized into groups with (n=14) and without (n=10) vertebral fractures.
Main Results:
- Children with vertebral fractures exhibited lower carbonate-to-phosphate ratios and higher collagen maturity compared to those without fractures.
- Low bone volume (BV/TV) was observed in 36% of children with vertebral fractures, with abnormal bone turnover in 64%.
- Children with low bone volume showed lower carbonate-to-amide I ratios.
Conclusions:
- Vertebral fractures in fracture-prone children with osteoporosis are associated with significant changes in bone composition.
- Altered bone composition, including reduced carbonate content and increased collagen maturity, may contribute to the higher incidence of vertebral fractures in these children.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Bone Disorders
Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
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...
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...
01:40Bone Remodeling
Bone remodeling is a continuous and balanced process of bone resorption by osteoclasts and bone formation by osteoblasts. In adults, it helps maintain bone mass and calcium homeostasis. While mechanical stress can stimulate turnover as part of the normal maintenance and reparative process, several hormones also regulate bone remodeling.
01:09Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
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...
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...
01:27Fractures: Bone Repair
Treatment for a fracture is based on the type of break, the bone affected, and the patient's age.
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
Minor fractures with no bone displacement are treated by immobilizing the fractured bone using a cast or splint. However, in the case of fractures with displaced bones, the broken bones are repositioned before immobilization to ensure successful healing without deformation and loss of function. The realignment of fractured bone ends is performed through a process called reduction. If the procedure...
01:18The Bone Matrix
Bone contains a relatively small number of cells entrenched in a matrix of collagen fibers that provide an adherent surface for inorganic salt crystals. Both components of the matrix, organic and inorganic, contribute to the unusual properties of bone. Without collagen, bones would be brittle and shatter easily. Without mineral crystals, bones would flex and provide little support. This can be observed by an experiment: when the minerals of a bone are dissolved by soaking the bone in acid or...
01:09Spongy Bone
All bones comprise an outer layer of compact bone, and an interior made up of spongy bone tissue, also called cancellous or trabecular bone. In long bones, spongy bone tissue is mainly found in the interior of the epiphyses (broad ends of the bone).
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...
Spongy bone is more porous, and less dense compared to compact bone. It is composed of concentric lamellae that are arranged irregularly to form the trabecular network. In some bones, the spaces between trabeculae contain red marrow, where...