The associations between serum trace elements and bone mineral density in children under 3 years of age

We examined the associations of age and serum magnesium, iron, lead, copper, and zinc levels with bone mineral density (BMD) in 2412 children under 3 years of age in order to find a tool to monitor BMD in children without the use of expensive imaging techniques. One-way ANOVA and chi-square tests were used to determine the associations of age and serum trace elements with BMD. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to test the correlation of five serum trace elements with BMD after adjustments for potential confounding factors in children under 3 years of age. Significant associations between age and four serum trace elements and BMD were found. Compared to the group with the lowest serum levels detected, the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for the incidence of normal bone mineral density in the third magnesium concentration tertile, the third iron concentration tertile, the fifth copper concentration quintile, the third zinc concentration quintile, and the fifth zinc concentration quintile were 1.30 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.67), 1.43 (95% CI 1.11–1.84), 1.42 (95% CI 1.04–1.94), 1.46 (95% CI 1.05–2.04), and 1.48 (95% CI 1.06–2.06), respectively. However, there was no significant correlation between serum lead level and BMD in this study. Age and serum magnesium, iron, copper, and zinc levels are positively associated with BMD in children under 3 years old.