A cross sectional study assessed the bone mineral density (BMD) of 20
young adult patients who received a renal transplantation in childhood
. The BMD of the lumbar spine, mainly trabecular bone, and of the tota
l body, mainly cortical bone, were measured and expressed as an SD sco
re. Fourteen patients (70%) had a BMD SD score of the lumbar spine bel
ow -1, of whom six patients were below -2. Fifteen patients (75%) had
a BMD SD score of the total body below -1, of whom seven patients were
below -2. Both trabecular and cortical bone appeared to be involved i
n the osteopenic process. The cumulative dose of prednisone was invers
ely correlated to both lumbar spine and total body BMD SD score. In a
multiple regression analysis the cumulative dose of prednisone appeare
d to be the only factor with a significant effect on BMD SD score. Mos
t young adult patients who had received a renal transplantation in chi
ldhood had moderate to severe osteopenia. Corticosteroid treatment pla
yed a major part in the development of osteopenia in these patients.