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Published on: June 2, 2022
Reduced bone mass in 7-year-old children with asymptomatic idiopathic hypercalciuria
Joaquin Escribano1, Carmen Rubio-Torrents, Natalia Ferré
1Institut d'Investigació Sanitaria Pere Virgili, Universitat Rovira i Virgili, Reus, Spain.
Insights
Idiopathic hypercalciuria (IHC) in children is linked to lower bone mineral density (BMD). This study found IHC is common and significantly reduces BMD z-scores, even after accounting for diet and activity.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Bone Metabolism
Background:
- Idiopathic hypercalciuria (IHC) is a common pediatric condition characterized by elevated urinary calcium excretion without hypercalcemia.
- IHC can lead to various urinary issues and diminished bone mineral density (BMD) in children.
- The impact of IHC on bone health in asymptomatic children requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of idiopathic hypercalciuria (IHC) on bone mineral content in children without urological symptoms.
- To determine the association between IHC and bone mineral density (BMD) in a pediatric cohort.
- To investigate potential confounding factors influencing BMD in children with IHC.
Main Methods:
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to assess BMD in 175 seven-year-old children.
- Children were categorized into idiopathic hypercalciuria (IHC) and control groups.
- Urinary calcium excretion, anthropometry, dietary intake, and physical activity levels were measured.
Main Results:
- The prevalence of idiopathic hypercalciuria (IHC) was found to be 17.7% in the studied population.
- Children with IHC exhibited significantly lower whole-body BMD z-scores compared to controls.
- The association between IHC and reduced BMD remained significant after adjusting for anthropometry, physical activity, and calcium intake.
Conclusions:
- Idiopathic hypercalciuria (IHC) affects approximately 17% of seven-year-old children.
- IHC diagnosis is associated with decreased BMD z-scores and osteopenia in 22% of affected children.
- These findings highlight the importance of assessing bone health in children diagnosed with IHC.
Background:
Idiopathic hypercalciuria (IHC), i.e. an elevated urinary calcium excretion without concomitant hypercalcemia, is a common disorder in children and can have a range of urinary clinical presentations and decreased bone mineral density (BMD).
Aim:
To assess the effect of IHC on bone mineral content in children without urological symptoms.
Methods:
Calcium excretion, BMD (by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry), and anthropometry were assessed in 175 seven-year-old children who were classified as IHC or controls. Calcium intake and physical activity were measured as confounding factors.
Results:
The prevalence of IHC was 17.7%. Both groups (controls and IHC) showed similar baseline characteristics in terms of their anthropometry, gender distribution, and protein and calcium dietary intakes as well as physical activity scores. Urinary calciuria was independent of the calcium dietary intake and anthropometry. BMD correlated with anthropometry and physical activity but not with calcium dietary intake. IHC children had lower whole-body BMD z-scores compared to controls. The role of IHC in reducing the whole-body BMD z-score was still significant even when anthropometry, physical activity, and calcium intake were included as confounders in multivariate analyses.
Conclusions:
The prevalence of IHC in this population of 7-year-old children was about 17%. IHC diagnosis was associated with lower BMD z-scores and osteopenia in 22% of them.
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