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Osteoporosis International

Published in:

01-12-2010 | Original Article

Reduced tibial speed of sound in Chinese infants at birth compared with Caucasian peers: the effects of race, gender, and vitamin D on fetal bone development

Authors: X. P. Liao, W. L. Zhang, C. H. Yan, X. J. Zhou, P. Wang, J. H. Sun, X. D. Yu, M. Q. Wu

Published in: Osteoporosis International | Issue 12/2010

Abstract

Summary

This study compared bone status between Chinese and Caucasian infants at birth, showing that Chinese neonates have lower tibial speed of sound, which is influenced by gender, gestational age, season of birth, and maternal vitamin D status. The effects of these factors on fetal bone development were discussed.

Introduction

We compared the differences of speed of sound (SOS) accessed by quantitative ultrasound between Chinese and Caucasian infants at birth and explored the relationship between the concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and bone SOS in maternal–infant pairs.

Methods

SOS for the tibial bone was measured at birth in 267 Chinese infants. We used the Z-scores for the direct comparisons which were available from the instrument based data of gender and age-matched Caucasian peers. The concentrations of serum 25(OH)D and bone SOS in 32 maternal–infant pairs were measured at birth in winters.

Results

The Chinese infants had lower SOS demonstrated by the Z-scores. Significant differences of SOS and Z-scores were found between genders, gestational ages, birth weight, and seasons of birth. The differences of Z-scores negatively decreased with gestational age, suggesting that the bone status of Chinese infants lags behind that of the Caucasian infants during the last trimester of pregnancy in utero. The tibial SOS of infants born in winters was 2.0% higher than those born in summers after adjustment. The infant SOS correlated with maternal serum 25(OH)D (r = 0.399, P = 0.024) and infant serum 25(OH)D (r = 0.394, P = 0.026).

Conclusions

Chinese neonates have lower SOS which is influenced by gender, gestational age, season of birth, and maternal vitamin D status. It is inferred that, in pace with gestational age, race and gender effects on fetal bone development are modified by materno-fetal vitamin D status.

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Title: Reduced tibial speed of sound in Chinese infants at birth compared with Caucasian peers: the effects of race, gender, and vitamin D on fetal bone development
Authors: X. P. Liao
W. L. Zhang
C. H. Yan
X. J. Zhou
P. Wang
J. H. Sun
X. D. Yu
M. Q. Wu
Publication date: 01-12-2010
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Osteoporosis International / Issue 12/2010
Print ISSN: 0937-941X
Electronic ISSN: 1433-2965
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00198-009-1158-9

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Reduced tibial speed of sound in Chinese infants at birth compared with Caucasian peers: the effects of race, gender, and vitamin D on fetal bone development

Abstract

Summary

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Summary

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

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