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Lower extremity bone mineral density in children with congenital spinal dysfunction
Rochelle E Haas1, Heidi H Kecskemethy, Maria A Lopiccolo
1Department of Pediatrics, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE 19899, USA. rhaas@nemours.org
Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|November 21, 2012
Summary
Bone mineral density (BMD) in children with congenital spinal dysfunction is influenced by ambulatory status. Lateral distal femur (LDF) BMD assessment is a viable technique for this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Congenital spinal dysfunction can impact bone health in children.
- Assessing bone mineral density (BMD) is crucial for managing these patients.
- Limited data exists on lower extremity BMD in this specific pediatric population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate lower extremity bone mineral density (BMD) in children with congenital spinal dysfunction.
- To identify factors influencing BMD, such as ambulatory status and neurological level.
- To assess the utility of lateral distal femur (LDF) BMD measurements.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 44 children (aged 6-18 years) with congenital spinal dysfunction.
- Collected data via health surveys and physical examinations.
- Performed dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans of the lateral distal femur (LDF).
Main Results:
- Univariable analysis showed significant relationships between LDF BMD and ambulatory status (p<0.01).
- Neurological level also showed a significant association with LDF BMD in univariable analysis (p<0.01).
- These associations did not persist in multivariable analysis due to the small sample size.
Conclusions:
- Lateral distal femur (LDF) BMD measurement is a feasible method for assessing bone density in children with congenital spinal dysfunction.
- LDF BMD demonstrated sensitivity to variations in ambulation categories.
- Ambulatory status appeared to be a more significant factor than neurological level for LDF BMD.
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