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Updated: Mar 31, 2026
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Bone mineral density in pediatric patients with meningomyelocele
Insights
Children with meningomyelocele have lower bone mineral density (BMD), indicating osteoporosis. Reduced mobility, linked to higher lesion levels, further impacts BMD in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Bone Metabolism Research
- Neurology
Background:
- Meningomyelocele is a complex congenital condition affecting spinal cord development.
- Reduced bone mineral density (BMD) is a concern in children with meningomyelocele, but contributing factors require clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess bone mineral density (BMD) in children with meningomyelocele.
- To identify factors associated with reduced BMD in this pediatric population.
Main Methods:
- Compared BMD of the femoral neck and lumbar spine (L1-L4) in 31 children with meningomyelocele and 22 healthy controls.
- Measured bone metabolism markers, including serum calcium and urinary deoxypyridinoline.
- Assessed patient mobility and correlated it with BMD and lesion level.
Main Results:
- Significantly lower BMD was observed in the femoral neck and lumbar spine in meningomyelocele patients compared to controls.
- Lower serum calcium and urinary deoxypyridinoline levels were noted in patients.
- Reduced mobility, particularly in those with lumbar or thoracic meningomyelocele, correlated positively with spinal BMD.
Conclusions:
- Decreased BMD in meningomyelocele is likely linked to osteoporosis, not primarily nutritional or hormonal issues.
- Higher lesion levels negatively impact mobility, which in turn affects bone mineral density.
Purpose:
The aim of this study was to determine the bone mineral density (BMD) and the factors leading to reduction in BMD in children diagnosed with meningomyelocele.
Methods:
A total of 31 patients with meningomyelocele (mean (SD) age, 8.5 (3.9) years; 51.6%were females) and 22 healthy children were included. BMD of femoral neck and spinal L1– L4 levels and markers for bone metabolism were recorded.
Results:
BMD of femoral neck (p=0.001) and spinal L1–L4 (p = 0.01), serum calcium (p = 0.031), and urinary deoxypyridinoline (p=0.015) levels were significantly lower in patients than in controls. Mobilization was significantly reduced in lumbar (p=0.001) and thoracic (p=0.002) level meningomyelocele compared to controls, while a significant positive correlation was noted between BMD of spinal L1–L4 and mobility (r=0.58, p=0.015).
Conclusions:
Our findings suggest a decrease in BMD in meningomyelocele patients being associated with osteoporosis rather than nutritional and hormonal factors and the negative impact of higher levels of lesion on the mobility.
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