Cambios longitudinales en las mediciones cuantitativas de ultrasonido óseo en niños preescolares sanos: determinantes...

To evaluate the existing evidence on how maternal exposures during pregnancy and environmental factors during childhood influence bone health in offspring during the preschool years.

In this prospective cohort study, 146 Slovenian pregnant women and their offspring from birth to 7 years of age were monitored. The pregnant women's health status, anthropometry, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and adiponectin concentrations, dietary assessments, and quantitative ultrasound measurements of tibial bone speed of sound (SOS) value were recorded. The children's clinical status, anthropometric measurements, and tibial bone SOS value were assessed at birth, 1, 3 and 12 months, and 7 years of age, with diet assessed at 7 years.

The longitudinal quantitative ultrasound measurements of bones revealed a significant effect of time on SOS measurements (F = 232.4, p < 0.001): SOS values were significantly lower at 1 and 3 months than at birth, while at 12 months and 7 years they were significantly higher than at birth, and 1 and 3 months. Infants with normal SOS showed a greater decline at 3 months. Low maternal 25(OH)D concentrations (r = -0.32; p = 0.01) and thyroid dysfunction (p < 0.05) were associated with lower SOS values at birth. Additionally, body mass index Z-score during the preschool period was associated with bone SOS values (at 1, 3 and 12 months and 7 years of age: p = 0.04; P = 0.01; p = 0.02, and p = 0.04, respectively).

Otherwise healthy preschool children with non-optimal bone mineral density were identified. Low maternal 25(OH)D, thyroid dysfunction, and the child's BMI Z-score were associated with lower SOS values. Due to the inclusion of participants with a healthier lifestyle, the data is not generalisable.