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Gender and race differences in bone mass during infancy
R C Rupich1, B L Specker, M Lieuw-A-Fa
1College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati, PO Box 670541, Cincinnati, Ohio 45267-0541, USA.
Calcified Tissue International
|June 1, 1996
Summary
In infants aged 1-18 months, male infants show higher bone mineral density (BMD) and content (BMC) than females. Black infants may have slightly higher BMD than white infants, considering weight and age.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Human Physiology
- Bone Health
Background:
- Early childhood is a critical period for bone development.
- Understanding demographic influences on bone mineral accrual is essential for assessing pediatric growth and skeletal health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential race and gender disparities in total body bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) during the first 18 months of life.
Main Methods:
- Total body bone mineral measurements were performed on 64 healthy infants aged 1-18 months.
- Statistical analyses accounted for infant weight and age to compare bone mineral parameters between race and gender groups.
Main Results:
- Male infants exhibited significantly greater bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) compared to female infants (P=0.02), after adjusting for weight and age.
- Black infants demonstrated a trend towards slightly higher BMD than white infants (P=0.07), though this did not reach statistical significance.
Conclusions:
- Sex is a significant determinant of bone mineral accrual in early infancy, with males showing higher values.
- While not statistically significant, race may also influence bone mineral density in infants, warranting further investigation.