Bone density in pediatric Crohn's disease: A cross-sectional observation from South India.

BACKGROUND

Crohn's disease (CD) frequently manifests in the second and third decades of life. Malnutrition and corticosteroid therapy may affect bone mineralization and delay bone growth. Our aim was to study bone mineral density and factors associated low bone mineral density (BMD) in pediatric CD.

METHODS

A cross-sectional observational study in children with CD (aged 5 to <18 years) was done. Demographic and treatment details were noted. Vitamin D levels <20 ng/mL were considered as deficiency. Bone mineral density was evaluated with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) scan and Z score of <-2 SD was considered as low BMD. Data was analyzed descriptively.

RESULTS

In 30 cases with CD enrolled over 1 year, mean age of the patients was 13.8±3.0 years. Age of onset and diagnosis was 11.4±3.2 years and 13.4±2.8 years, respectively. 73.3% were in the underweight category. All cases received azathioprine whereas 86.7% were receiving corticosteroids. Vitamin D deficiency was seen in 86.7% cases. A low BMD was evident in 70% children. Overall, low BMI (p=0.005) and vitamin D deficiency (p=0.005) were associated with low BMD. However, no association between severity grade of vitamin D deficiency and low BMD was found. Treatment with corticosteroid was associated with low BMD in 76.9% cases (p=0.069).

CONCLUSION

Low BMD was frequent in children with CD and was associated with low BMI and vitamin D deficiency.