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ARS Home » Plains Area » Houston, Texas » Children's Nutrition Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #294356
Title: Assessment of bone mineral status in children with Marfan syndrome

Author
item GROVER, MONICA - Baylor College Of Medicine
item BRUNETTI-PIERRI, NICOLA - Baylor College Of Medicine
item BELMONT, JOHN - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item PHAN, KELLY - Baylor College Of Medicine
item TRAN, ALYSSA - Baylor College Of Medicine
item SHYPAILO, ROMAN - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item ELLIS, KENNETH - Children'S Nutrition Research Center (CNRC)
item LEE, BRENDAN - Baylor College Of Medicine

Submitted to: American Journal of Medical Genetics
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/30/2012
Publication Date: 9/1/2012
Citation: Grover, M., Brunetti-Pierri, N., Belmont, J., Phan, K., Tran, A., Shypailo, R.J., Ellis, K.J., Lee, B.H. 2012. Assessment of bone mineral status in children with Marfan syndrome. American Journal of Medical Genetics. 158A(9):2221-2224.

Interpretive Summary: Marfan syndrome is a common genetic disorder that directly affects skeletal growth. In this study we documented for the first time that there is deficient bone mineralization in young children with Marfan syndrome. By carefully adjusting the results for height, age, gender and ethnicity, we found that Marfan syndrome children have both low bone mineral content and bone mineral density. On average children with Marfan have reduced bone mineral density compared to matched controls. This study reinforces the need for careful diet and exercise management in Marfan syndrome and the need for regular measurement of vitamin D status in children with this relatively common genetic condition.

Technical Abstract: Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant connective tissue disorder with skeletal involvement. It is caused by mutations in fibrillin1 (FBN1) gene resulting in activation of TGF-ßeta, which developmentally regulates bone mass and matrix properties. There is no consensus regarding bone mineralization in children with MFS. Using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), we evaluated bone mineralization in 20 children with MFS unselected for bone problems. z-Scores were calculated based on age, gender, height, and ethnicity matched controls. Mean whole body bone mineral content (BMC) z-score was 0.26+/-1.42 (P=0.41). Mean bone mineral density (BMD) z-score for whole body was -0.34+/-1.4 (P=0.29), and lumbar spine was reduced at -0.55+/-1.34 (P=0.017). On further adjusting for stature, which is usually higher in MFS, mean BMC z-score was reduced at -0.677+/-1.37 (P=0.04), mean BMD z-score for whole body was -0.82+/-1.55 (P=0.002), and for lumbar spine was -0.83+/-1.32 (P=0.001). An increased risk of osteoporosis in MFS is controversial. DXA has limitations in large skeletons because it tends to overestimate BMD and BMC. By adjusting results for height, age, gender, and ethnicity, we found that MFS patients have significantly lower BMC and BMD in whole body and lumbar spine. Evaluation of diet, exercise, vitamin D status, and bone turnover markers will help gain insight into pathogenesis of the reduced bone mass. Further, larger longitudinal studies are required to evaluate the natural history, incidence of fractures, and effects of pharmacological therapy.