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[Influence of nutrition on the bone development of children]

M L Alcázar, J Alvear, S Muzzo

    Archivos Latinoamericanos De Nutricion
    |June 1, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    Childhood nutrition significantly impacts bone development. Malnutrition delays bone age, while obesity advances it, with severe undernutrition causing the most significant delays.

    Area of Science:

    • Pediatrics
    • Nutrition Science
    • Radiology

    Background:

    • Infant bone age assessment is crucial for monitoring growth and development.
    • Nutritional status is a known factor influencing skeletal maturation.
    • Previous studies have indicated a link between nutrition and bone age, but further clarification is needed.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the relationship between nutritional status and bone age in children.
    • To determine how different degrees of malnutrition and obesity affect bone age development.

    Main Methods:

    • Children with varying nutritional statuses were assessed.
    • Bone age was determined using wrist X-rays.
    • Skeletal maturation was compared against the Greulich and Pyle Atlas.

    Main Results:

    • Obese children exhibited advanced bone age.
    • Undernourished children showed retarded bone age, with severity correlating to nutritional deficit.
    • A positive correlation was observed between bone age variation, chronological age, and height for age.
    • Undernourished children who were small for gestational age experienced greater bone age delays.

    Conclusions:

    • Nutritional status profoundly influences infant bone age.
    • Malnutrition leads to delayed bone maturation, while obesity accelerates it.
    • Early nutritional interventions are critical for optimal skeletal development in infants.

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