Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2025
Scanning Skeletal Remains for Bone Mineral Density in Forensic Contexts
Published on: January 29, 2018
Relationship between blood lipids and bone mineral density in healthy preschoolers: a 12-month cohort study
Xueqian Mao1, Xueyi Jin1, Ying Hu1
1Department of Epidemiology and Statistics, 12426 School of Public Health, Lanzhou University , Lanzhou, Gansu Province, China.
Insights
Elevated serum triglyceride levels within the normal range are linked to reduced bone mineral density in preschool children. This suggests early monitoring of blood lipids may be important for bone health in young children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Bone Metabolism
- Lipidology
Background:
- Bone mineral density (BMD) is crucial for skeletal health.
- Understanding factors influencing BMD in early childhood is important for long-term skeletal integrity.
- Blood lipid profiles are typically assessed in adults, but their role in pediatric bone health is less understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between blood lipid levels and bone mineral density (BMD) in preschool-aged children.
- To determine if serum lipid concentrations correlate with changes in BMD over a 12-month period.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study included 411 healthy preschool-aged children.
- Bone mineral density and content of the forearm and calcaneus were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA).
- Fasting blood samples were analyzed for lipid profiles at baseline.
Main Results:
- A significant inverse association was found between serum triglyceride levels within the normal physiological range and changes in calcaneal BMD.
- A 1 mmol/L increase in triglycerides correlated with a 6.73 mg/cm² decrease in calcaneal BMD and a 5.98 mg decrease in bone mineral content.
- No significant relationship was observed between other lipids or forearm BMD changes.
Conclusions:
- Serum triglyceride concentrations within the physiological normal range negatively correlate with the 12-month increment of calcaneal bone mineral density in preschool children.
- These findings highlight a potential link between normal-range triglycerides and bone development in early childhood.
Objectives:
A prospective study was conducted examining the association between blood lipid levels and bone mineral density in preschool-aged children.
Methods:
Healthy preschool-aged children (n=411) were included in this 12-month cohort study. The bone mineral density and bone mineral content of the non-dominant forearm and calcaneus were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Additionally, the children's fasting blood was drawn at baseline to measure blood lipids.
Results:
The sample comprised 411 healthy preschool-aged children, 208 girls and 203 boys, with a mean age of 4.80±0.70 years. After one year of observation, the bone mineral density of the non-dominant calcaneus in preschool children increased by 30.37 mg/cm2, bone mineral content increased by 29.85 mg, and triglyceride levels increased by 0.05 mmol/L. A significant inverse assocation was observed between serum triglyceride levels within the normal physiological range and the changes in bone mineral density (BMD) at the non-dominant calcaneus in preschool children, whereas no such association was detected with BMD changes in the non-dominant forearm. A 1 mmol/L increase in triglycerides within the physiological normal range was associated with a 6.73 mg/cm2 decrease in bone mineral density (95 % CI: -12.90, -0.56) and a 5.98 mg decrease in bone mineral content (95 % CI: -11.77, -0.19). There was no significant relationship between other lipids and bone mineral density.
Conclusions:
Serum triglyceride concentrations within the physiological normal range showed a significant negative correlation with the 12-month increment of calcaneal bone mineral density in preschool children (p<0.05).
Related Concept Videos
01:25Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
01:25Role of Vitamins in Maintaining Bone Health
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is involved in the process of bone remodeling. Retinoic acid, the active metabolite of Vitamin A, has nuclear receptors in osteoblasts and osteoclasts, which are involved in bone remodeling.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 acts as a cofactor during the formation of osteoblast-related proteins, such as osteocalcin. Vitamin B12 plays a role...
01:18Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...
01:24Lipid Absorption
These breakdown products bind with bile salts and lecithin to form micelles, which quickly pass between microvilli to come in close contact with the apical...
01:31Essential Minerals for Bone Health
Calcium and Phosphorus
Calcium is a critical component of bones, especially in the form of calcium phosphate and calcium carbonate. Since the body cannot make calcium, it must be obtained from the diet. However, calcium cannot be absorbed from the small intestine without...