title: Bone mineral density in children with chronic renal failure.
abstract: Bone mineral density (BMD) is important in children and adolescents because of its relationship to long-term skeletal health, and because, in adults with chronic renal failure (CRF), a relationship between low BMD and vascular calcification has been suggested. To investigate the relationship between BMD and manipulable factors that might affect it, i.e. plasma calcium, phosphate and parathyroid hormone (PTH), 64 patients with a median glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 31 (range 7-60) ml min(-1) 1.73 m(-2) and median age of 10.0 (4.1-16.9) years were followed over 1.3 (0.7-1.7) years at an average of 5 (3-14) clinic visits. At one visit, BMD of the lumbar spine was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The mean BMD Z-score was normal (=0.0). Overall mean calcium, phosphate and PTH levels were in their respective normal ranges. The majority of the patients (72%) were treated with calcium carbonate, mean dose 65 mg kg(-1) day(-1); prescription was positively related to serum calcium levels and calcium-phosphate product (P=0.012 and P<0.01 respectively). Almost all patients (98%) were treated with alfacalcidol, mean dose 12 ng kg(-1) day(-1); prescription was not related to investigated factors. Patients grew well; there was no change in height standard deviation score (DeltaHtSDS=0.0). Normal BMD Z-score for age and sex can be achieved in children with CRF managed with the aim of maintaining normal PTH levels by dietary phosphate restriction, calcium-based phosphate binders and small doses of alfacalcidol. Further investigation of the underlying bone by the use of biopsy and histomorphometry is required to determine actual bone health.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nephro-Urology, Institute of Child Health and the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust, Great Ormond Street, London, WC1N 3JH, UK. swaller@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Waller
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ridout
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rees
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000293:Adolescent; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005919:Glomerular Filtration Rate; D006801:Humans; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006962:Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary / Q000517:prevention & control; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood; D010710:Phosphates / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D050071:Bone Density Conservation Agents; D006887:Hydroxycholecalciferols; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D010710:Phosphates; D002119:Calcium Carbonate; D002118:Calcium; C008088:alfacalcidol