Bone resorption in infants of diabetic mothers

Aim: Previous studies, using different techniques, have yielded contradictory findings concerning whether bone remodelling is altered in infants of diabetic mothers (IDM). The objective of the study was to assess the bone resorption of IDM during the first 3 mo of age. Methods: We conducted a longitudinal study using a specific index of bone resorption, urinary excretion of collagen type I cross-linked N-telopeptide (NTX), to compare bone resorption of a cohort of IDM and that of age-matched controls throughout the first 3 mo of life. Results: NTX/Cr ratio in IDM followed the same pattern over time as observed in control infants, i.e., a rapid increase during the first 10 d of life, a peak at 1 mo of life, and then a progressive decrease at 3 mo of life. There was no statistically significant difference between urinary NTX excretion observed in IDM and that observed in controls at any age studied. Conclusion: By using urinary NTX excretion, normal bone resorption was found in IDM throughout the first 3 mo of life.