Evaluation of bone mineral density in children with sickle cell disease

Objective: To evaluate bone mineral density (BMD) in children with sickle cell disease (SCD) in the Community of Madrid. Materials 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 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. Evaluación de la densidad mineral ósea en pacientes con enfermedad de células falciformes Resumen Objetivo: Evaluar la densidad mineral ósea (DMO) en niños con enfermedad de células falci-formes (ECF) de la Comunidad de Madrid. (Z >-1), un 25% tienen DMO baja (Z entre-1 y-2) y un 17,5% presentan Z-score patológico con valores de osteoporosis (Z-score <-2). Los estudios de correlación solo encuentran una correlación lineal de Pearson significativa estadísticamente entre valor de Z-score y valor de Hb (r = 0,368, p = 0,019), no encontrando correlación con los niveles de 25 (OH) D. Conclusión: Se necesitan estudios prospectivos, con mayor número de enfermos para conocer las implicaciones futuras de la densitometría alterada y los factores de riesgo asociados.