Bone Mineral Density in Children With Myelomeningocele

Abstract

Patients with myelomeningocele have decreased bone mineral density and are at risk of suffering pathologic bone fractures. The measurement of bone mineral density may help to identify those patients at greatest risk of suffering multiple fractures. The urinary calcium excretion of nonambulators was higher than that of ambulators and likely contributes to their decreased bone mineral density. Bone mineral density increases with age in boys, but not in girls.