Bone mineral density in children with cirrhosis

Background Despite the clinical importance of osteoporosis in individuals with cirrhosis, little is known about it, especially in children. We evaluated the bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC) of children with cirrhosis. Methods Forty children with cirrhosis (mean age, 10.4 ± 3.9 years) were involved. BMD and BMC were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry at lumbar vertebrae 1–4, and the results were compared with those of 62 healthy age- and sex-matched children. Results The mean lumbar spine BMD of patients with cirrhosis was 0.482 ± 0.107 g/cm² and that of the controls was 0.687 ± 0.172 g/cm² (P < 0.0001). The mean lumbar spine BMC of patients with cirrhosis was 20.008 ± 8.409 g and that of controls was 32.859 ± 14.665 g (P < 0.0001). After the confounding variables (weight, height, and pubertal stage) were controlled for, the difference in BMD and BMC values between patients with cirrhosis and healthy controls was significant (0.535 ± 0.061 g/cm² vs 0.653 ± 0.048 g/cm², and 24.515 ± 5.052 g vs 29.952 ± 3.971 g, respectively). Conclusions Because of the significant difference in BMD and BMC values between our patients with cirrhosis and healthy controls, patients with cirrhosis should be evaluated for osteopenia.