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Inflammatory bowel disease and predisposition to osteopenia
F J Cowan1, J T Warner, F D Dunstan
1University Hospital of Wales Healthcare NHS Trust, Cardiff.
Archives of Disease in Childhood
|April 1, 1997
Summary
Osteopenia, a bone density issue, is common in children with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Previous steroid use appears to contribute to this bone loss in pediatric IBD patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Gastroenterology
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Bone Metabolism
Background:
- Osteopenia prevalence in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is not well-established.
- Factors influencing bone mineral content (BMC) in children with IBD require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of osteopenia in children with IBD.
- To assess the impact of nutritional status, disease activity, and steroid therapy on BMC in pediatric IBD.
Main Methods:
- Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was used to measure whole body, lumbar spine, and femoral neck BMC in 32 children with IBD and 58 healthy controls.
- Predicted BMC was calculated based on bone area, age, height, weight, and pubertal stage.
- Measured BMC was expressed as a percentage of predicted BMC (% BMC).
Main Results:
- Children with IBD showed significantly reduced mean % BMC for the whole body (97.0%) and left femoral neck (93.1%) compared to controls.
- 41% of IBD children had % BMC below 1 SD for the whole body, and 47% at the femoral neck.
- Reduced % BMC was associated with prior steroid usage, but not dose, disease activity, or bone metabolism markers.
Conclusions:
- Osteopenia is a common condition in children diagnosed with inflammatory bowel disease.
- Steroid therapy is a potential contributing factor to osteopenia in pediatric IBD patients.