Bone mass accrual during infancy

Abstract

Bone mass during infantile period relates closely to adult bone mass and small bone mass in infancy has been thought as one of the risk factors for osteoporosis. Although bone mass accrual during infantile period is determined by perinatal condition, nutrition and endocrine factors, among these factors, infant growth at third trimester of pregnancy is important to determine life-long bone health. For nutritional factors, vitamin D and calcium are important. The effects of estrogen on infant bone are also discussed.