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Low blood manganese levels in Liverpool children with Perthes' disease
A J Hall1, B M Margetts, D J Barker
1MRC Environmental Epidemiology Unit, University of Southampton, UK.
Insights
Manganese deficiency may cause Perthes
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Orthopedics
- Nutritional Science
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Perthes' disease, or avascular necrosis of the femoral head, has an unknown cause.
- Children with Perthes' disease exhibit generalized growth abnormalities.
- Manganese-deficient diets in chicks induce disproportionate growth, similar to Perthes' patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential role of manganese deficiency in the etiology of Perthes' disease.
- To explore the association between blood manganese levels and Perthes' disease incidence.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of blood manganese levels in children with Perthes' disease versus control groups.
- Literature review on growth abnormalities and nutritional deficiencies.
Main Results:
- Children with Perthes' disease in a high-incidence area (Liverpool) showed lower blood manganese levels compared to controls.
- A correlation between low manganese levels and Perthes' disease was observed.
Conclusions:
- Manganese deficiency around the time of birth is a potential etiological factor for Perthes' disease.
- Further research is required to confirm these findings and establish causality.
Abstract:
The aetiology of Perthes' disease of the hip, avascular necrosis of the head of the femur, is unknown. Children with the disease have a generalised abnormality of growth. A similar disproportionate growth is found in chicks given a diet deficient in manganese. In Liverpool, which has the highest incidence of Perthes' disease reported anywhere in the world, children with the disease were shown to have lower blood manganese levels than controls. This is evidence that manganese deficiency around the time of birth may be a cause of Perthes' disease, but the results require confirmation.