BONE MINERALIZATION OF ADOLESCENTS THAT S UFFERED OF EARLY POSTNATAL UNDERNUTRITION

The bone mineralization of 6 male and 18 female adolescents with a mea n age of 12 years and 11 months, who had suffered severe, early, postn atal protein-energy undernutrition, was analized. These patients have been followed up at our Institute since their nutritional rehabilitati on. Bone mineralization was measured by bone dual isotopic densitometr y (Gd 153). These results were compared with those of normal schoolage Chilean children of the same age and sex. Weight for height of adoles cent who had suffered from undernutrition was similar to the controls, and both were over 100% of the standard. Adequation of height for age was significantly less in those with previous history of undernutriti on. Densitometries showed that adolescents with a past history of unde rnutrition had lower total bone mass in whole body, spine and femoral neck; differences dissapeared when expressed per 100 cm of body height . There were no differences in bone mineral density in the different a rea measurements, It is concluded that the posible alterations that un dernutrition produces in bone mineralization probably recover after nu tritional rehabilitation, adequate nutritional follow up and health su pport.