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Pubertal changes in calcium kinetics in girls assessed using 42Ca
1Department of Pediatrics, USDA/ARS Children's Nutrition Research Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030.
Pediatric Research
|October 1, 1993
Summary
Calcium deposition in bone peaks during early puberty and declines afterward. The rate of calcium entering bone decreases as it matures, particularly after menarche.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Bone Metabolism
- Calcium Kinetics
Background:
- Bone mineral accretion is crucial during adolescence.
- Understanding calcium dynamics is key to optimizing bone health.
- Puberty significantly influences bone calcium uptake.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify calcium deposition rate and pool size in girls.
- To investigate the relationship between calcium kinetics and pubertal development.
- To determine how bone maturation affects calcium utilization.
Main Methods:
- Utilized intravenous 42Ca administration in 50 girls (aged 4.9–16.7 years).
- Measured bone calcium deposition rate (Vo+) and exchangeable calcium pool (EP).
- Analyzed correlations between calcium kinetics and age, weight, BMI, and time since menarche.
Main Results:
- Both calcium deposition rate (Vo+) and exchangeable pool (EP) peaked in early puberty.
- These parameters decreased in late puberty and over 2 years postmenarche.
- The ratio of calcium deposition to pool size (ko+) correlated strongly with time since menarche.
Conclusions:
- Bone calcium deposition and pool size are dynamic during female puberty.
- Bone maturation, indicated by time since menarche, is a critical factor in calcium deposition efficiency.
- The fraction of the calcium pool entering bone diminishes as skeletal maturity progresses.