Longitudinal study of bone mineral density in children with idiopathic hypercalciuria

Pediatr Nephrol. 2012 Jan;27(1):123-30. doi: 10.1007/s00467-011-1952-4. Epub 2011 Jul 16.

Abstract

Children with idiopathic hypercalciuria (IH) may have a reduced bone mineral density (BMD), which could impact on bone health in adulthood. There is currently no strong evidence for a preferred treatment of such children. The aim of our study was to evaluate the BMD z-score before and after treating children and adolescents with IH with potassium citrate and thiazides. The study consisted of a historical cohort of 80 pediatric patients who were evaluated between October 1989 and November 2010. Bone scanning and densitometry measurements were made with dual-emission X-ray absorptiometry. Lumbar-spine BMD (g/cm(2)) and BMD z-score were evaluated before and after treatment. The t test and Mann-Whitney U test were used for statistical analysis. Forty-three boys and 37 girls were followed for a median time of 6.0 years. Median calcium excretion before and after treatment was 5.0 and 2.6 mg/kg/24 h, respectively. The BMD z-score changed significantly from -0.763 ± 0.954 (mean ± SD) to -0.537 ± 0.898 (p < 0.0001) before and after treatment, respectively. The BMD z-score of the patients improved with treatment, suggesting a beneficial effect and potential need for treatment. However, the lack of a control group points to the need for future studies to corroborate this outcome.

MeSH terms

  • Absorptiometry, Photon
  • Adolescent
  • Bone Density / drug effects*
  • Brazil
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Diuretics / therapeutic use*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypercalciuria / diagnostic imaging
  • Hypercalciuria / drug therapy*
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / drug effects*
  • Male
  • Potassium Citrate / therapeutic use*
  • Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors / therapeutic use*
  • Thiazides / therapeutic use*
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Diuretics
  • Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors
  • Thiazides
  • Potassium Citrate

Supplementary concepts

  • Hypercalciuria, childhood idiopathic