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Influence of birth weight on adult bone mineral density
H M Hamed1, D W Purdie, C S Ramsden
1Department of Gynaecology, Princess Royal Hospital, Hull, UK.
Insights
Low birth weight does not impact peak bone mineral density (BMD) in women. This study found no correlation between birth weight and adult BMD, suggesting prematurity is not a risk factor for osteoporosis.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Endocrinology
- Public Health
Background:
- Peak bone mineral density (BMD) is crucial for preventing osteoporosis later in life.
- Factors influencing peak BMD, such as birth weight, are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential association between low birth weight and adult peak bone mineral density (BMD).
Main Methods:
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure BMD.
- BMD was assessed at the lumbar spine and femoral neck.
- A cohort of women with low birth weight was compared to a control group with normal birth weight.
Main Results:
- No significant correlation was found between birth weight and adult BMD at either the lumbar spine or femoral neck.
- Low birth weight did not appear to influence the achievement of peak bone density.
Conclusions:
- Low birth weight is not a determinant of peak bone density in women.
- Prematurity does not appear to be a risk factor for developing osteoporosis due to reduced peak BMD.
Abstract:
Bone mineral density (BMD) increases during growth until a peak is reached at maturity. The risk of development of postmenopausal osteoporosis depends on the peak bone density and the rate of its subsequent loss. To identify whether low weight at birth could affect the peak bone density, we measured BMD at both the lumbar spine and femoral neck using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in a group of women who had low weight at birth and in a control group of normal birth weight. There was no significant correlation between the weight at birth and the adult BMD. It appears, therefore, that low weight at birth does not influence the peak bone density and that prematurity is not a risk factor for osteoporosis.