Bone mineral content in children with short bowel syndrome after discontinuation of parenteral nutrition

Abstract

To determine whether children with short bowel syndrome had evidence of metabolic bone disease, total body bone mineral content was measured by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry in 18 patients and 36 age-, sex-, and race-matched control subjects. Children with short bowel syndrome had decreased bone mineral content compared with control subjects; however, it was not significant when adjusted for differences in weight and height. Whether these children will have normal bone accretion throughout puberty is not known. (J Pediatr 1998;132:516-9)