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Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
[Adipokines, body composition and bone mineral density in underweight children]
Jadwiga Ambroszkiewicz1, Witold Klemarczyk2, Grazna Rowicka2
1Institute of Mother and Child in Warsaw, Poland: Screening Department.
Insights
Low body weight in children negatively impacts bone health, leading to reduced bone density and altered metabolism. This study highlights the link between underweight status, adipokines, and bone health in prepubertal children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Bone Metabolism Research
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Childhood body weight is a critical determinant of bone health.
- Underweight children face increased risks of bone metabolism disturbances, potentially leading to osteopenia and osteoporosis later in life.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between adipokines, bone metabolism markers, and anthropometric parameters in underweight prepubertal children.
- To compare these parameters between underweight and normal-weight children.
Main Methods:
- The study involved 60 children (5-10 years), divided into underweight (n=30) and normal-weight (n=30) groups based on BMI z-scores.
- Body composition (fat mass, lean mass, bone mass) and bone mineral density were assessed using densitometry.
- Serum concentrations of bone metabolism markers and adipokines were measured via immunoenzymatic methods.
Main Results:
- Underweight children exhibited significantly lower fat mass, lean mass, bone mineral content, and bone mineral density compared to normal-weight children.
- A higher serum concentration of the bone resorption marker CTX was observed in underweight children.
- The ratio of adipokines (leptin/adiponectin) was significantly lower in underweight children, with positive correlations found between sclerostin, adiponectin, and bone turnover markers.
Conclusions:
- Low body weight during the prepubertal period is associated with altered adipokine profiles and bone metabolism.
- These alterations contribute to decreased bone mineral density in underweight children, underscoring the importance of maintaining adequate weight for pediatric bone health.
Unlabelled:
One of the important factors affecting bone health is body weight. Underweight children are predisposed to disturbances in bone metabolism, which may result in osteopenia and osteoporosis in later life.
Aim:
The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between adipokines, bone metabolism, and anthropometric parameters in underweight prepubertal children.
Materials And Methods:
The study included 60 children aged 5-10 years. Among them, there were: 30 underweight children (BMI z-score ≤-1) and 30 normal-weight children (BMI z-score <-1 + 1 >). Body composition (fat mass, lean body mass, bone mass) and bone mineral density examination were performed by densitometry. Serum concentrations of bone metabolism markers and adipokines were determined by immunoenzymatic methods.
Results:
In underweight children we observed significantly lower fat mass (p<0.0001), lean mass (p<0.001), bone mineral content (p<0.01) and bone mineral density both the total body (p<0.01) as well as lumbar spine L2-L4 (p<0.05) compared with normal-weight children. In the group of underweight children, serum concentration of bone resorption marker (CTX) was significantly higher than in normal-weight children (2.006±0.649 vs. 1.624±0.492 ng/ml, p<0.05), with no differences in the concentrations of osteocalcin and sclerostin between studied groups. The ratio of adipokines (leptin/adiponectin) was approximately 2-fold lower in underweight than in normal-weight subjects. In underweight children we observed positive correlations between concentrations of sclerostin and bone turnover markers (OC, CTX) and between adiponectin and CTX. However, there was no correlation between fat mass and leptin concentration in this group of children.
Conclusions:
Low body weight in prepubertal period is related with an alteration in the adipokines profile and bone metabolism markers, resulting in a decrease in bone mineral density.
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