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Longitudinal Changes of Bone Ultrasound Measurements in Healthy Infants during the First Year of Life: Influence of Gender and Type of Feeding

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Abstract

There is evidence suggesting that early events in life may predispose the adult to osteoporosis. We assessed bone status by quantitative ultrasonography in healthy neonates, and we report the changes occurring during the first year of life, according to the type of early feeding. We measured the speed of sound (SOS) of the left tibia in 116 full-term infants (0–9 days of age) and in their mothers (21–42 years of age). SOS values did not correlate with gestational age of the study subjects (r = 0.08) or anthropometric measurements. The SOS measurements of the mothers did not correlate with those of their children (r = 0.01). Fifty-seven infants had SOS measurements performed at 4 and 12 months. Twenty-five infants were exclusively breast-fed, 12 received formula milk from birth, and 20 received human and formula milk. SOS measurements at 4 months were comparable with those at baseline, whereas at 12 months they were significantly higher. No effect of type of feeding was observed, indicating that SOS changes may be independent of the type of early diet.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by the grant Bando nazionale AIDS 2009, convenzione numero 40H1.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, L. Sacco Hospital, University of Milan, 20157, Milan, Italy

    Gianvincenzo Zuccotti, Alessandra Viganò, Laura Cafarelli, Valentina Pivetti & Laura Pogliani

  2. Laboratory of Pediatric Endocrinology, BoNetwork, Division of Metabolic and Cardiovascular Sciences, San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Via Olgettina 60, 20132, Milan, Italy

    Maria Puzzovio & Stefano Mora

Authors
  1. Gianvincenzo Zuccotti
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  2. Alessandra Viganò
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  3. Laura Cafarelli
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  4. Valentina Pivetti
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  5. Laura Pogliani
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  6. Maria Puzzovio
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  7. Stefano Mora
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Correspondence to Stefano Mora.

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The authors have stated that they have no conflict of interest.

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Zuccotti, G., Viganò, A., Cafarelli, L. et al. Longitudinal Changes of Bone Ultrasound Measurements in Healthy Infants during the First Year of Life: Influence of Gender and Type of Feeding. Calcif Tissue Int 89, 312–317 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-011-9520-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00223-011-9520-2

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