[Bone mineral density in a population with severe infantile cerebral palsy]

Densidad mineral ósea e indicadores bioquímicos y hormonales en niños con parálisis cerebral cuadripléjica

Introduction: children with cerebral palsy (CP) have multiple risk factors for low bone mineral density or osteoporosis. Objective: to explore the association between bone mineral density (BMD) and biochemical and hormonal indicators of bone metabolism in children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy (CP). Methods: a cross-sectional analytical study included 59 participants from six to 18 years of age with quadriplegic CP. Serum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, 25OHD metabolite, parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase, and thyroid hormones were determined using standardized methods. The BMD measurement was obtained from the lumbar spine expressed in g/cm2 and Z-score. Unpaired Student's t-test, Chi-square test, odds ratio and Pearson's correlation were performed. Results: participants with CP and malnutrition had lower serum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase. Those who had low BMD showed lower serum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase. Most participants with low and normal BMD had vitamin D deficiency (27.1% and 10%) and insufficiency (35.4% and 30%), respectively. There was a significant correlation between BMD and serum concentrations of calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, vitamin D and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). There were no differences in the biochemical and hormonal indicators by level of gross motor function, use of anticonvulsants and oral versus enteral feeding method. Conclusion: malnutrition and alteration of vitamin D nutritional status were associated with low BMD and alterations of biochemical indicators of bone metabolism in pediatric patients with quadriplegic CP. The relationship between BMD and biochemical indicators of bone metabolism in children with quadriplegic CP was also demonstrated.

Use of iliac crest allograft for Dega pelvic osteotomy in patients with cerebral palsy

Background

Dega pelvic osteotomy is commonly performed procedure in patients with cerebral palsy (CP) undergoing hip reconstructive surgery for hip displacement. However, there has been no study investigating the outcomes after Dega pelvic osteotomy using allograft in patients with CP. This study investigated the outcomes of Dega pelvic osteotomy using iliac crest allograft in CP with hip displacement and the factors affecting allograft incorporation.

Methods

This study included 110 patients (150 hips; mean age 8y7mo; 68 males, 42 females) who underwent hip reconstructive surgeries including Dega pelvic osteotomy using iliac crest allograft. To evaluate the time of allograft incorporation, Goldberg score was evaluated according to the follow-up period on all postoperative hip radiographs. The acetabular index, migration percentage, and neck-shaft angle were also measured on the preoperative and postoperative follow-up radiographs.

Results

The mean estimated time for allograft incorporation (Goldberg score ≥ 6) was 1.1 years postoperatively. All hips showed radiographic union at the final follow-up and there was no case of graft-related complications. Patients with Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) level V had 6.9 times higher risk of radiographic delayed union than those with GMFCS level III and IV. Acetabular index did not increase during the follow-up period (p = 0.316).

Conclusions

Dega pelvic osteotomy using iliac crest allograft was effective in correcting acetabular dysplasia, without graft-related complications in patients with CP. Furthermore, the correction of acetabular dysplasia remained stable during the follow-up period.

Bone mineral density and nutritional status in children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy

This study demonstrated the relationship of low bone mineral density (BMD) with the degree of motor impairment, method of feeding, anthropometric indicators, and malnutrition in children with quadriplegic cerebral palsy (CP). The control of these factors could optimize adequate bone mineralization, avoid the risk of osteoporosis, and would improve the quality of life.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the study is to explore the relationship between low BMD and nutritional status in children with quadriplegic CP.

METHODOLOGY

A cross-sectional analytical study included 59 participants aged 6 to 18 years with quadriplegic CP. Weight and height were obtained with alternative measurements, and weight/age, height/age, and BMI/age indexes were estimated. The BMD measurement obtained from the lumbar spine was expressed in grams per square centimeter and Z score (Z). Unpaired Student's t tests, chi-square tests, odds ratios, Pearson's correlations, and linear regressions were performed.

RESULTS

The mean of BMD Z score was lower in adolescents than in school-aged children (p = 0.002). Patients with low BMD were at the most affected levels of the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS). Participants at level V of the GMFCS were more likely to have low BMD than levels III and IV [odds ratio (OR) = 5.8 (confidence interval [CI] 95% 1.4, 24.8), p = 0.010]. There was a higher probability of low BMD in tube-feeding patients [OR = 8.6 (CI 95% 1.0, 73.4), p = 0.023]. The probability of low BMD was higher in malnourished children with weight/age and BMI indices [OR = 11.4 (1.3, 94), p = 0.009] and [OR = 9.4 (CI 95% 1.1, 79.7), p = 0.017], respectively.

CONCLUSION

There was a significant relationship between low BMD, degree of motor impairment, method of feeding, and malnutrition. Optimizing these factors could reduce the risk of osteopenia and osteoporosis and attain a significant improvement of quality of life in children with quadriplegic CP.

Skeletal Maturation and Mineralisation of Children with Moderate to Severe Spastic Quadriplegia

INTRODUCTION

Diminished bone mineral density and delayed skeletal maturation are common in children with spastic quadriplegia.

AIM

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the Bone Mineral Density (BMD) of children with moderate to severe spastic quadriplegia and its relationship with other variables like nutrition and growth.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a hospital based, cross- sectional, case-control study. Forty-two (28 males, 14 females) children with spastic quadriplegia and 42 (24 males, 18 females) healthy children were included in the study. BMD of cases and control were measured by Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA). Radiographs of left hand and wrist of cases and controls were taken and bone age was determined.

RESULTS

BMD values of upper extremity, lower extremity, thoraco-lumbar spine and pelvis in cases were lower than those of controls (p <0.0001). In children with non severe malnutrition, 75% of the cases had lower bone age than chronological age, whereas all cases with severe malnutrition had lower bone age than chronological age. Step wise regression analysis showed that nutritional status independently contributed to lower BMD values but the BMD values did not correlate significantly with the use of anticonvulsant drugs and presence of physical therapy.

CONCLUSION

Decreased BMD and delayed bone age is prevalent in children with spastic quadriplegia and nutritional status is an important contributing factor.

Bone mineral density and vitamin D status in ambulatory and non-ambulatory children with cerebral palsy

This study assessed distal femur and lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD) Z-scores in children with cerebral palsy. BMD z-score was lower in non-ambulatory than in ambulatory children. Somewhat surprisingly, among ambulatory children, those with better walking abilities had higher BMD z-score than those with more impaired walking ability.

INTRODUCTION

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) have increased risk for low bone mineral density (BMD). The aim was to explore the difference in BMD at the distal femur and lumbar spine between ambulatory and non-ambulatory children with CP and the relationship between vitamin D status and BMD.

METHODS

Fifty-one children (age range 8-18 years; 20 girls) with CP participated. Their BMD Z-scores were measured in the lumbar spine and the distal femur using dual X-ray absorptiometry, and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25-OHD) concentrations were measured in serum. Children with GMFCS level I-III were defined as 'walkers' while children with level IV-V were defined as 'non-walkers.

RESULTS

Non-walkers had lower mean BMD Z-scores (range -1.7 to -5.4) than walkers at all sites (range -0.8 to -1.5). Among walkers, BMD Z-scores at the distal femur were lower in those with GMFCS level II than with level I (p values < 0.004). A similar difference was found between the affected and unaffected limb in children with hemiplegia. Mean 25-OHD concentration was 45 nmol/L (SD = 18); lower in walkers (mean = 41 nmol/L; SD = 18) than in non-walkers (mean = 53 nmol/L; SD = 19; p = 0.041). There were no correlations between 25-OHD and BMD z-scores.

CONCLUSIONS

The main predictor of low BMD Z-scores in the distal femur was the inability to walk, but the results suggest that the degree of the neuromotor impairment may also be a significant predictor. Vitamin D status did not correlate with BMD z-scores.