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Normative data for bone mass in healthy term infants from birth to 1 year of age

Sina Gallo1, Catherine A Vanstone, Hope A Weiler

  • 1School of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, McGill University, 21111 Lakeshore Road, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada H9X 3V9.

Journal of Osteoporosis
|October 24, 2012
PubMed

Insights

This study establishes crucial bone mineral density reference data for infants using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). The findings provide essential benchmarks for assessing infant bone health and fracture risk.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Radiology
  • Bone Health

Background:

  • Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is the standard for adult bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk assessment.
  • DXA application in pediatrics is growing, but infant reference data is lacking.
  • Accurate infant BMD data is vital for early diagnosis and monitoring.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To establish normative bone mineral density (BMD) reference data for healthy term infants during their first year of life.
  • To provide a baseline for interpreting pediatric DXA scans in infancy.
  • To support clinical assessment of bone accretion in infants.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective study involving 59 healthy term infants (33 boys, 26 girls) was conducted.
  • Whole body, lumbar spine (LS 1-4), and femur bone mineral content (BMC) and BMD were measured using DXA (QDR 4500A, Hologic Inc.).
  • Measurements were taken at recruitment and after one year to assess bone accretion.

Main Results:

  • Whole body BMC increased by 200%, spine BMC by 130%, and femur BMC by 190% over the year.
  • Spine BMD showed a 14% increase during the study period.
  • Significant bone mass accretion was observed throughout the first year of life.

Conclusions:

  • This study provides the first comprehensive reference data for infant bone mass and density using DXA.
  • These findings will assist researchers and clinicians in interpreting infant DXA scans.
  • Establishing infant BMD norms is critical for pediatric bone health evaluation.

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