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Bone Densitometry is a Valuable Marker for Bone Health Monitoring in Pediatric Wilson's Disease Patients: A Tertiary
Magd A Kotb1, Sherihan Fakhry1, Hend AbdElBaky1
1Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Abstract:
Wilson's disease is a rare inherited disorder causing copper accumulation, which may adversely affect bone health in children. To assess bone mineral density and the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in pediatric Wilson's disease patients using DEXA. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 15 children with confirmed Wilson's disease. Bone mineral density was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and clinical, biochemical, and treatment-related variables were analyzed. The mean age was 10 ± 3.6 years; 53% were female. DEXA revealed bone disease in 60%: mild osteopenia (13%), moderate (27%), and osteoporosis (20%). Bone disease did not correlate with treatment duration, urinary copper, calcium, phosphorus, or alkaline phosphatase. However, serum albumin positively correlated with bone density (P = .018). Bone disease is frequent and often subclinical in pediatric Wilson's disease. DEXA is a useful tool for early detection. Larger studies are needed to evaluate the effects of treatment and micronutrient status on bone health.
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