[Evaluation of bone mineral density in children with sickle cell disease]

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the Community of Madrid.

Material and methods: The BMD was estimated in 40 children with SCD, and with an age range between 3 and 16 years, using densitometry (DXA), as recommended by the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD).

Results: The mean age at the time of the study was 7.97±3.95 years, the mean value of the DXA expressed in Z -score was -0.91±1.46 with a range of minimum values - 5.30 and 2.30 maximum. More than half (57.5%) of all the children had normal BMD (Z>-1), 25% had low BMD (Z between -1 and -2), and 17.5% showed an abnormal Z -score values of osteoporosis (Z -score<-2). The Pearson linear correlation was statistically significant between Z -score value and the haemoglobin level (r=0.368, p=.019), finding no correlation with the levels of 25 (OH) vitamin D.

Conclusion: Prospective studies are needed with a larger number of patients to understand the future implications of bone densitometry changes and associated risk factors.

Keywords: Bone mineral density; Densidad mineral ósea; Densitometry; Densitometría; Enfermedad de células falciformes; Low bone mineral density; Osteopenia; Osteoporosis; Sickle cell disease.