Bone mineral Density of lumbar Spine in Children With Spastic Quadriplegia and Spastic Diplegia

경직성 사지마비와 양하지마비 아동의 요추부 골밀도

In children with cerebral palsy, bone density is decreased by disturbance of bone remodelling due to lack of normal weight bearing and muscle contraction through physical activity. Loss of bone density cause fracture, delays treatment with immobilization, and leads to functional limitation. The purpose of this study was to investigate bone mineral density of lumbar spine in children with spastic quadriplegia and diplegia. Six spastic quadriplegia and 14 spastic diplegia were evaluated in this study. QDR 4500 X-ray densitometer was used to measure bone density at lumbar spine (L1~L4). Children with cerebral palsy showed lower bone density than that of normal children. Bone density in children with spastic quadriplegia and diplegia was $-1.812{\pm}.962$, $-1.519{\pm}.935$, respectively. However, there was no significant differences in bone density between children with spastic quadriplegia and diplegia. There was no significant difference in bone density relation to motor development level, height, and weight. Further study is needed to find the appropriate interventions for preventing loss of bone density in children with cerebral palsy.