Bone Abstracts

Objectives: Earlier studies performed using dual energy X-ray absorptiometry indicate that underprivileged Indian girls acquire low bone mass during adolescence. Therefore, aim was to assess bone geometry of underprivileged Indian adolescent girls (age 12–19 years) using peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT).

Methods: Fifty-six adolescent girls were assessed for anthropometry (height, weight) (February 2016 to January 2017) and pQCT (STRATECXCT-2000). Socio-demographic information was recorded. Dietary intakes (3-non-consecutive days) by 24-hr diet recall and nutrient intakes were computed using (c-diet software-Xenios technologies). Biochemical parameters: serum 25OHD and intact parathyroid hormone were assessed using standard laboratory kits. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 21). Level of significance was set at P<0.05.

Results: Mean age was 15.4±1.6 years (with mean age at menstruation 12.9±0.9 years) (mean monthly family income 218±140 EUR). Anthropometry and biochemical parameters were within reference range except for serum 25OHD deficiency (mean 23.8±11.6 nmol/l; 95% below reference range of 50 nmol/l), mean PTH (5.47±3.14 pmol/l, 33% above reference range of 7.05 pmol/l). Majority of the girls (59%) were exposed to sunlight for less than 30 mins/day. 16% of girls reported history of fracture. pQCT measurements demonstrated that mean trabecular density was 160±27 mg/cc, mean Z-score was −0.9±1 and 11% girls had low bone mass (Z-score<−2) at radius 4%; mean total density was 279±47 mg/cc, mean Z-score was −1.1±0.9 and 22% girls had low bone mass. Mean cortical bone density at radius 66% site was 1082±60 mg/cc, mean Z-score was −1.2±2.0 (29% Z-score<−2) and mean Stress Strain Index (SSI) was 165.6±38.1 mm³ and mean Z-score was −1.4±2.5; SSI was below −2 in 33% girls. All macro (protein=29.0±11.3 gm/day) and micronutrient (calcium=302±113 mg/d) intakes were below recommended dietary allowance except for dietary fat.

Conclusion: These underprivileged girls with poor sunshine exposure and hypovitaminosis D with poor habitual calcium intake had low bone mass as measured by pQCT and urgent attention needs to be focussed on bone health of these girls.

Disclosure: The authors declared no competing interests.