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11/05/2017

Health Of Children's Bones Could Be Determined Before Birth - Study

The health of children's bones could be determined before they are born, according to the findings of a new study.

The paper looks at whether bone health might be influenced by epigenetic modifications of DNA early in life.

The results, provide an insight into the early determinants of skeletal growth, and improve the understanding of how osteoporosis could be prevented in future generations.

Southampton researchers analysed the levels of DNA methylation in umbilical cord tissue of 669 babies born in the Southampton Women's Survey.

They compared the DNA methylation levels in the CDKN2A gene to the bone mass of the child at four and six years of age, measured using DXA bone densitometry. They found that higher DNA methylation in particular parts of the CDKN2A gene, which is known to play a role in development and ageing, was associated with lower bone mass at four and six years.

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Analysis showed that a 10% increase in methylation was associated with a decrease in total bone mass of around 4-9g at age four years.

Further laboratory analysis showed that methylation of the CDKN2A region is important for the function and survival of bone cells.

Nicholas Harvey, one of the study leaders, said: "The health of a child's bone when they are young can influence the risk of osteoporosis in older age.

"This study provides exciting insights into the role of epigenetics in bone health, and might allow us to more accurately predict an individual's future risk of osteoporosis.

"Our ongoing studies should enable us to work out whether interventions during pregnancy, for example vitamin D supplementation, will actually alter the epigenetic marks, and lead to improved bone health in the offspring."

The researchers are from the MRC Lifecourse Epidemiology Unit and the Institute of Developmental Sciences at the University of Southampton.

The work was published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

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"The health of children's bones could be determined before they are born, according to the findings of a new study."