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The associations between serum trace elements and bone mineral density in children under 3 years of age

Ziyi Wu1, Yuhao Yuan1, Jian Tian1

  • 1Department of Orthopaedics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, 410008, China.

Scientific Reports
|January 22, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Age and essential trace elements like magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc are linked to better bone mineral density (BMD) in young children. This finding may help monitor bone health without costly imaging.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Nutrition
  • Bone Health
  • Trace Element Metabolism

Background:

  • Bone mineral density (BMD) is crucial for skeletal development in children.
  • Monitoring BMD in infants and toddlers often requires expensive imaging techniques.
  • Identifying non-invasive biomarkers for BMD assessment is a significant clinical need.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between serum trace element levels and BMD in children under three years old.
  • To explore age-related changes in BMD and their correlation with serum minerals.
  • To identify potential serum biomarkers for monitoring pediatric BMD non-invasively.

Main Methods:

  • Cross-sectional study involving 2412 children under three years of age.
  • Analysis of serum levels of magnesium, iron, lead, copper, and zinc.
  • Statistical methods included one-way ANOVA, chi-square tests, and multivariable logistic regression.

Main Results:

  • Significant positive associations were found between age and BMD.
  • Higher serum levels of magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc were independently associated with increased odds of normal BMD.
  • Serum lead levels showed no significant correlation with BMD in this cohort.

Conclusions:

  • Age and serum levels of magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc are positively associated with bone mineral density in young children.
  • These trace elements show potential as accessible biomarkers for monitoring BMD in pediatric populations.
  • Further research can validate these findings for clinical application in non-invasive BMD assessment.

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