Spina bifida or myelomeningocele (MM) is the most common permanently disabling condition in the U.S. and one of the most complex birth defects compatible with life. It is caused by failure of the spinal column to close completely during the first month of pregnancy, resulting in varying degrees of paralysis and weakness in the lower extremities. Osteoporosis and fractures are common problems in this population, most likely due to decreased ambulation and mechanical loading of the skeleton. A top priority for research in spina bifida is the identification of risk factors for osteoporosis and subsequent mitigation of these risk factors to prevent osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures. Since adolescence is a critical period for bone acquisition in non-disabled children, it is hypothesized that bone mass may be maximized in children with MM by maintaining upright mobility (walking) as long as possible through adolescence. This study will identify risk factors for osteoporosis in MM, particularly risk factors related to ambulation and mechanical loading of the skeleton.
The specific aims are (1) to examine longitudinal changes in bone density, size, and structural (strength) properties in children and adolescents with MM and to compare these changes with those in typically developing controls, (2) to identify potential risk factors for deficient bone acquisition and the development of osteoporosis, including level of neurological involvement, ambulatory status, gait characteristics, and amount of walking (steps per day), and (3) to explore whether maintaining ambulation (upright mobility) through adolescence is associated with significant gains in bone mass. To achieve these aims, children and adolescents with MM ages 6-13 years and controls of the same age will be assessed longitudinally over a 3-year follow-up period. Bone density, size, and strength will be measured in the tibia using computed tomography (CT) imaging. Gait characteristics will be measured through three-dimensional computerized gait analysis, and the amount of walking will be quantified with an activity monitor. To fully characterize the study subjects, other relevant information will also be obtained, including medical history, physical examination, Tanner stage of sexual development, skeletal age, dietary intake, and major determinants of bone formation. The bone properties will be related to the other measures to identify the most important risk factors for osteoporosis and to assess the importance of upright mobility (walking) in stimulating bone acquisition in children and adolescents with MM.

Public Health Relevance

Osteoporosis and fractures are common problems in persons with myelomeningocele (MM). This study will identify risk factors for osteoporosis in MM and explore whether osteoporosis can be prevented or lessened in severity by maintaining upright mobility (walking) as late as possible into adolescence. A slight delay in the transition to wheelchair mobility may make a large difference in osteoporosis prevention.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health & Human Development (NICHD)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01HD059826-03
Application #
8265881
Study Section
Neurological, Aging and Musculoskeletal Epidemiology (NAME)
Program Officer
Winer, Karen
Project Start
2010-05-01
Project End
2015-02-28
Budget Start
2012-03-01
Budget End
2013-02-28
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
2012
Total Cost
$470,947
Indirect Cost
$160,703
Name
Children's Hospital of Los Angeles
Department
Type
DUNS #
052277936
City
Los Angeles
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
90027
Borish, Cassie N; Mueske, Nicole M; Wren, Tishya A L (2017) A comparison of three methods of measuring tibial torsion in children with myelomeningocele and normally developing children. Clin Anat 30:1043-1048
Roiz, Ronald; Mueske, Nicole M; Van Speybroeck, Alexander et al. (2017) Advanced skeletal maturity in children and adolescents with myelomeningocele. J Pediatr Rehabil Med 10:283-293
Yasmeh, Pauline; Mueske, Nicole M; Yasmeh, Siamak et al. (2017) Walking activity during daily living in children with myelomeningocele. Disabil Rehabil 39:1422-1427
Van Speybroeck, Alexander; Mueske, Nicole M; Mittelman, Steven D et al. (2017) Fasting serum blood measures of bone and lipid metabolism in children with myelomeningocele for early detection of cardiovascular and bone fragility risk factors. J Spinal Cord Med 40:193-200
Lorenzana, Daniel J; Mueske, Nicole M; Ryan, Deirdre D et al. (2016) Quantitative Analysis of Lower Leg Adipose Tissue Distribution in Youth with Myelomeningocele. J Child Neurol 31:979-84
Orgel, E; Mueske, N M; Wren, T A L et al. (2016) Early injury to cortical and cancellous bone from induction chemotherapy for adolescents and young adults treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Bone 85:131-7
Nazareth, Alexander; Mueske, Nicole M; Wren, Tishya A L (2016) Effect of Tibia Marker Placement on Kinematics in Pathological Gait. J Appl Biomech 32:603-607
Mueske, Nicole M; Ryan, Deirdre D; Van Speybroeck, Alexander L et al. (2015) Fat distribution in children and adolescents with myelomeningocele. Dev Med Child Neurol 57:273-8
Horenstein, Rachel E; Shefelbine, Sandra J; Mueske, Nicole M et al. (2015) An approach for determining quantitative measures for bone volume and bone mass in the pediatric spina bifida population. Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon) 30:748-54
Mueske, Nicole M; Chan, Linda S; Wren, Tishya A L (2014) Reliability of lateral distal femur dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measures. J Clin Densitom 17:522-7

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