Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026

Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Anthropometry, nutritional status, and dietary intake in pediatric patients with osteogenesis imperfecta
Marina B Zambrano1, Evelise S Brizola, Lilia Refosco
1a PostGraduate Program in Child and Adolescent Health, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul , Porto Alegre , BRAZIL.
Insights
Pediatric patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) show compromised stature, particularly type III, and insufficient daily calcium intake. Nutritional status correlates with body fat measurements, highlighting key management areas.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Nutritional Science
- Metabolic Bone Disease
Background:
- Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetic disorder affecting bone fragility.
- Comprehensive assessment of nutritional and body composition is crucial for managing pediatric OI.
- Understanding anthropometric and dietary patterns in OI patients informs clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate anthropometric measurements, nutritional status, dietary intake, and body fat percentage in pediatric OI patients.
- To correlate various assessment methods for body fat percentage.
- To identify specific nutritional challenges, such as calcium intake, in this population.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 63 pediatric patients (0-19 years) with OI.
- Assessment included anthropometry, mobility, bisphosphonate treatment, body fat (DEXA, skinfolds), nutritional status, and dietary intake.
- Energy requirements calculated using WHO and kilocalorie/cm methods; dietary intake compared to WHO and DRI recommendations.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in anthropometric measurements across OI types; OI type III showed severely limited stature and mobility.
- Nutritional status correlated with arm circumference and body fat measurements; high agreement between DEXA and skinfold methods for body fat.
- 75% of patients had calcium intake below 95% of recommended daily values, with intake inversely correlated with age.
Conclusions:
- Stature is significantly affected in OI type III, correlating with mobility limitations.
- Skinfold thickness and arm circumference are reliable indicators of nutritional status and body fat in OI.
- Pediatric OI patients frequently exhibit inadequate daily calcium intake, necessitating targeted nutritional interventions.
Objective:
The aim of the present study was to assess anthropometric measurements, nutritional status, dietary intake, and body fat percentage of pediatric patients with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI).
Method:
A cross-sectional study evaluated 63 OI patients from 0 to 19 years of age. We analyzed anthropometric measurements, mobility, bisphosphonate treatment, body fat percentage (by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry [DEXA] and sum of skinfold thickness), nutritional status, and dietary intake (using World Health Organization [WHO] and dietary reference intake recommendations for macronutrients and calcium intake, respectively). Participants' energy requirements were calculated using both kilocalorie per centimeter measurements and WHO methods.
Results:
Patients with different types of OI had different anthropometric measurements (p < 0.05), where OI type III had severely limited stature and poor mobility. Nutritional status was correlated with measurements of arm circumference and body fat. We also found a strong correlation between the 2 methods used to calculate percentage of body fat (r = 0.803). OI type III had a higher percentage of energy intake. We observed that 75% of subjects had a calcium intake below 95% of recommended daily value and there was an inverse correlation between age and calcium intake.
Conclusions:
This study showed that stature was compromised mainly in OI type III. Skinfold thickness and arm circumference correlated to nutritional status and also to body fat calculated by DEXA. Daily calcium intake was below the recommended levels in pediatric patients with OI. These findings are important for the management of OI subjects.
Related Concept Videos
Bone Disorders
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...
Essential Minerals for Bone Health
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...
Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age
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...
The Functions of the Skeletal System
Hormones and Bone Tissue
Hormones That Influence Osteoblasts and/or Maintain the Matrix
Several hormones are necessary for controlling bone growth and maintaining the bone matrix. The pituitary gland secretes growth hormone (GH), which, as its name implies, controls bone growth. This happens in several ways: first, it triggers chondrocyte...

