DEMINERALIZATION IN CYSTIC-FIBROSIS - DETECTED BY DIRECT PHOTON-ABSORPTIOMETRY

Bone mineral content, bone width and their ratio were measured in cystic fibrosis (CF) patients using monoenergetic photon absorptiometry. Serial measurements of the radius and ulna were made in 27 CF patients and were compared with 968 age-matched controls. Demineralization was found in 37% of the boys and 63% of the girls. Patients under age 10 yr had normal bone mineral content and of 15 patients aged 13 or older were demineralized (P < 0.01). Demineralization correlated with the extent of weight reduction in patients (P < 0.001). Patients most likely to be demineralized were adolescent girls. This 1st report of the bone mineral status of CF children indicates that a sizable proportion of these patients may be demineralized without overt rickets.