Evaluation of bone mineral density in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Factors such as vascular/neurological mechanisms, poor glycemic control, abnormalities in vitamin D/calcium, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and hypercalciuria have been blamed for the unfavorable effects of type 1 diabetes mellitus (type 1 DM) on bone health. In this present study, we aimed to evaluate the frequency of low bone mineral density (BMD) in children with type 1 DM.

Among 100 type 1 DM patients, a 25-hydroxy vitamin D level of <10 ng/mL was accepted as vitamin D deficiency and the level of 10-20 ng/dL was accepted as vitamin D insufficiency. BMD was measured, and Z-scores were evaluated according to adjusted Turkish standards. Participants with a Z-score of ≤-2 were defined as having low BMD; BMD between -2 and -1 were defined as being in the low range of normality; and values ≥-1 were accepted as normal.

The vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency ratios were 28% and 43%, respectively. Low BMD and BMD in the low range of normality were diagnosed in 10% and 25% of patients, respectively. There was no difference in vitamin D, parathormone, and metabolic control levels between three groups: with normal BMD, low BMD, and BMD in the low range of normality. BMD Z-scores were not different between the pubertal and prepubertal groups.

Detailed evaluation should be performed for BMD in the follow-up of DM to prevent complications by decreasing related risks.