<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<sec><h3>Background</h3>
<p>Assessing bone turnover in paediatric populations is crucial for understanding the physiological changes occurring during skeletal development and identifying potential abnormalities. The objective of this study was to assess osteocalcin (OC), bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I) levels reflecting bone formation and resorption for age and sex in Polish healthy children and adolescents.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Materials and Methods</h3>
<p>A total of 355 healthy normal-weight children and adolescents (46.5% girls) aged 1–18 years old were recruited. Total body less head (TBLH) and spine L1-L4 were used in children to assess bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Bone marker concentrations were determined by immunoenzymatic methods.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Results</h3>
<p>Bone marker levels in girls and boys started with higher values in the first year of life and subsequently decreased until reaching a nadir during the prepubertal period. The pubertal peak values of bone markers were reached at 11–13 years old in boys and at 9–11 years old in girls. After puberty, the adolescents showed a gradual decline in bone marker concentrations to the values observed in adults. We found positive correlations between OC level and TBLH-BMD (r = 0.329, p = 0.002), TBLH-BMD Z-score (r = 0.245, p = 0.023), and L1-L4 BMD (r = 0.280, p = 0.009) in the prepubertal group.</p>
</sec>
<sec><h3>Conclusions</h3>
<p>We showed serum levels of bone turnover markers—BALP, OC, and CTX-I—in relation to age and sex in healthy Polish children and adolescents. The age intervals of these markers for girls and boys aged 1–18 years old may be clinically useful in the assessment of bone metabolism in individuals with skeletal disorders.</p>
</sec>
</abstract>

Background
Assessing bone turnover in paediatric populations is crucial for understanding the physiological changes occurring during skeletal development and identifying potential abnormalities. The objective of this study was to assess osteocalcin (OC), bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP), and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX-I) levels reflecting bone formation and resorption for age and sex in Polish healthy children and adolescents.

Materials and Methods
A total of 355 healthy normal-weight children and adolescents (46.5% girls) aged 1–18 years old were recruited. Total body less head (TBLH) and spine L1-L4 were used in children to assess bone mineral density (BMD) by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Bone marker concentrations were determined by immunoenzymatic methods.

Results
Bone marker levels in girls and boys started with higher values in the first year of life and subsequently decreased until reaching a nadir during the prepubertal period. The pubertal peak values of bone markers were reached at 11–13 years old in boys and at 9–11 years old in girls. After puberty, the adolescents showed a gradual decline in bone marker concentrations to the values observed in adults. We found positive correlations between OC level and TBLH-BMD (r = 0.329, p = 0.002), TBLH-BMD Z-score (r = 0.245, p = 0.023), and L1-L4 BMD (r = 0.280, p = 0.009) in the prepubertal group.

Conclusions
We showed serum levels of bone turnover markers—BALP, OC, and CTX-I—in relation to age and sex in healthy Polish children and adolescents. The age intervals of these markers for girls and boys aged 1–18 years old may be clinically useful in the assessment of bone metabolism in individuals with skeletal disorders.

Assessment of Biochemical Bone Turnover Markers in Polish Healthy Children and Adolescents

Department of Screening Tests and Metabolic Diagnostics

Journal of Mother and Child

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Background
Assessing bone turnover in paediatric populations is crucial for understanding the physiological changes occurring during skeletal development and...

Assessment of Biochemical Bone Turnover Markers in Polish Healthy Children and Adolescents

Article Category: Original research

Published Online: Apr 19, 2024

Page range: 14 - 22

Received: Nov 27, 2023

Accepted: Feb 09, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34763/jmotherandchild.20242801.d-23-00105

Keywords
osteocalcin, bone alkaline phosphatase, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, children, adolescents, age intervals

© 2024 Joanna Gajewska et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Assessment of Biochemical Bone Turnover Markers in Polish Healthy Children and Adolescents

Article Category: Original research

Published Online: Apr 19, 2024

Page range: 14 - 22

Received: Nov 27, 2023

Accepted: Feb 09, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.34763/jmotherandchild.20242801.d-23-00105

Keywordsosteocalcin, bone alkaline phosphatase, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, children, adolescents, age intervals

© 2024 Joanna Gajewska et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
osteocalcin, bone alkaline phosphatase, C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, children, adolescents, age intervals