Abstract
To assess lower extremity bone mineral density (BMD) of children with congenital spinal dysfunction and examine factors that may influence BMD in this population. Forty-four children (25 females, 19 males) aged 6 to 18 years (mean 11 y 11 mo, SD 3 y 6 mo) with congenital spinal dysfunction (35 with myelomeningocele, seven with lipomas, one with sacral agenesis, one with caudal regression) were enrolled in the study. A health survey including ambulatory status, history of bladder augmentation, and history of fracture was administered. Each participant had a physical examination including Tanner stage and neurological level. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans of the lateral distal femur (LDF) and, when possible, lumbar spine were obtained. We reported LDF BMD results as z-scores for three regions of interest (metaphyseal, metadiaphyseal, and diaphyseal). Univariable and multivariable analyses examined relationships between LDF BMD and the other variables. BMD was significantly related to ambulatory status (14 non-ambulatory, 15 partly ambulatory, 15 fully ambulatory) and neurological level (13 with low-level lesions, 15 medium-level, 16 high-level) in the univariable analysis (p<0.01 for both in all three regions). Neither history of fracture, nor Tanner stage, nor history of bladder augmentation showed a significant relationship to BMD. The significance of ambulatory status and neurological level in the univariable analysis failed to persist in the multivariable analysis of this study with a small sample size. The LDF measurement proved to be a viable technique for assessing BMD in children with congenital spinal dysfunction. LDF BMD was sensitive to differences in three categories of ambulation. The overall influence of neurological level was not deemed as important as ambulation.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.