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Bone mass in newborns and its predictors
Rekha Ramot1, Garima Kachhawa2, Vidushi Kulshrestha2
1Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India.
Insights
Optimal bone mass in newborns is crucial for preventing osteoporosis. This study found that birth weight, fetal femoral volume at 19 weeks, and placental weight are key factors influencing newborn bone mass.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pediatrics
- Bone Health Research
Background:
- Optimal bone mass accrual during fetal development is vital for lifelong skeletal health and osteoporosis prevention.
- Understanding factors influencing newborn bone mass (NBBM) is essential for early intervention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe newborn bone mass (NBBM) in a cohort of term newborns.
- To identify maternal and fetal factors associated with NBBM.
Main Methods:
- An observational study involving singleton pregnant women up to 16 weeks gestation.
- Measurements included maternal diet, fetal femoral volume (FFV) via ultrasound, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, placental weight, and newborn bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), and bone area using DXA.
- Statistical analysis explored associations between maternal/fetal factors and NBBM.
Main Results:
- The mean BMC, BMD, and bone area for term newborns were determined.
- Significant univariable associations with NBBM included gestational age, gestational weight gain, FFV at 19 weeks, placental weight, third-trimester maternal serum albumin, and newborn anthropometrics.
- Multivariable analysis identified newborn birth weight, placental weight, and FFV at 19 weeks as significant predictors of NBBM.
Conclusions:
- This study provides descriptive data on NBBM in term newborns.
- Birth weight, second-trimester fetal femoral volume, and placental weight are significant associated factors for newborn bone mass.
Objective:
Optimal bone mass (a function of foetal programming and adequate intrauterine bone mineral accrual) is essential for prevention of osteoporosis. The present study was planned with the objectives to describe newborn bone mass (NBBM) and study the associated factors.
Design:
Observational study Patients: Singleton pregnant women ≤16 weeks gestation.
Measurements:
Maternal factors and antenatal events: Dietary assessment (3 days-24-h diet recalls at ≤16 and 32-34 weeks), fetal femoral volume (FFV) assessment at 19 and 34 weeks, serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (S.25OHD) and placental weight. Newborn anthropometric parameters, cord S.25OHD & IGF-1 level and NBBM by DXA (whole-body bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD) and bone area).
Results:
Total 224 subjects were studied: 198 full-term and 26 preterm. The mean BMC, BMD and bone area for term newborns was 46.5 g (95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.35-47.66), 0.209 g/cm2 (95% CI: 0.206-0.212) and 221.6 cm2 (95% CI: 218.52-224.62), respectively. The mean placental weight was 403.2 ± 75.01 g (n = 72) while FFV was 0.71 ± 0.28 ml (19 weeks; n = 59) and 4.4 ± 1.17 ml (34 weeks; n = 33). Factors significantly associated with NBBM -gestational age at delivery, gestational weight gain, FFV at 19 weeks, placental weight, third-trimester maternal serum albumin and newborn anthropometric parameters (univariable analysis) and newborn birth weight, placental weight and FFV at 19 weeks (multivariable analysis).
Conclusion:
This study described NBBM among term newborns and birth weight, second-trimester FFV and placental weight were the associated factors.
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