Calcium acquisition rates do not support age-appropriate gains in total body bone mineral content in prepuberty and late puberty in girls with cystic fibrosis

Osteoporos Int. 2006;17(5):731-40. doi: 10.1007/s00198-005-0041-6. Epub 2006 Feb 28.

Abstract

Few longitudinal data are available characterizing bone development in adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF) although this is a critical time for bone mineralization. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scans were obtained at 1- to 4-year intervals in 18 prepubertal and pubertal girls (age 7-18 years) with CF to determine calcium (Ca) accretion rates and changes (Delta) in total body bone mineral content (TBBMC) and lumbar spine bone mineral density (LS BMD) Z-scores. Daily Ca acquisition rates were calculated assuming TBBMC was composed of 32.2% Ca. Bone Ca accretion averaged 82 mg/day (2.05 mmol/day) [(range:-38 to +197 mg/day (-0.95 to 4.9 mmol/day)] on approximately 1,200 mg/day (30 mmol/day) Ca intakes. Estimated mean peak Ca accretion was 160 mg/day (4 mmol/day) at age 13 years; losses of bone Ca occurred in late puberty. Gains in insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) predicted Ca accretion (p<0.06). Body mass index (BMI) Z-score predicted LS BMD and TBBMC Z-score cross-sectionally but did not predict DeltaTBBMC Z-score. Changes in TBBMC Z-score paralleled Ca accretion rates with age. Bone Ca accretion in girls with CF fell below rates in healthy girls during prepuberty and late puberty despite Ca intakes approaching recommendations. IGF-1 and BMI Z-scores may identify children with CF at risk of compromised bone accretion, and more data are required to elucidate roles of lung function and glucocorticoid use in compromised bone health.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorptiometry, Photon
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Bone Density / physiology*
  • Calcium / metabolism*
  • Child
  • Cystic Fibrosis / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Forced Expiratory Volume / physiology
  • Humans
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Puberty / physiology
  • Receptor, IGF Type 1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptor, IGF Type 1
  • Calcium