Bone Mass and Bone Metabolism Markers during Adolescence: The HELENA Study

Background/Aims: The assessment of bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) status in children and adolescents is important for health and the prevention of diseases. Bone metabolic activity could provide early information on bone mass development. Our aim was to describe bone mass and metabolism markers according to age and Tanner stage in adolescents. Methods: Spanish adolescents (n = 345; 168 males and 177 females) aged 12.5-17.5 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Body composition variables were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Serum osteocalcin (n = 101), aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (n = 92) and beta-isomerized C-telopeptides (beta-CTX, n = 65) and urine samples (beta-CTX; n = 237) were analyzed by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Results: Analysis of covariance showed that females had higher values for BMC and BMD in most of the regions. Both males and females had a significant decrease in bone markers while sexual maturation increases (all p<0.05). Males had an increased bone turnover compared to females (all p<0.05, except for urine beta-CTX in Tanner <= IV). Conclusion: Our results support the evidence of dimorphic site-specific bone accretion between sexes and show an increased bone turnover in males, suggesting higher metabolic activity. Copyright (C) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel