Caries in adolescents in relation to their skeletal status.

Objective: Despite well-known evidence of association of caries with bone metabolic diseases, there are only a small number of studies about caries and bone mineral density (BMD) on pediatric population. We evaluated the possibility of bone mineralization and metabolism disturbances in children with caries and compared them with healthy individuals.

Materials And Methods: A total of 123 patients with caries (63 boys and 60 girls), aged 12-15 years, were included.

Genetic polymorphisms of collagen type I α1 chain (COL1A1) gene increase the frequency of low bone mineral density in the subgroup of children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Background: Collagen type I is one of the key proteins involved in the maturation, development and mineralization of bone. Genetic polymorphisms of collagen type I alpha-1 chain (COL1A1) gene are associated with low bone mineral density and higher risk of fractures in adults and children. We hypothesize that the polymorphic alleles and genotypes of COL1A1 gene influence bone mineralization and metabolism in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).

Glucocorticoid receptor gene polymorphism and juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Background: The glucocorticoid receptor gene (NR3C1) has been suggested as a candidate gene affecting juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) course and prognosis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the glucocorticoid receptor gene BclI polymorphism (rs41423247) in JIA patients, the gene's role in susceptibility to juvenile idiopathic arthritis, and its associations with JIA activity, course and bone mineralization.

Methods: One hundred twenty-two Caucasian children with JIA and 143 healthy ethnically matched controls were studied.

Bone mineralization and physical development of children.

A cross-sectional study of BMD and physical development values in children of various age-specific groups was carried out. In all, the study included 357 children (194 boys and 163 girls) aged from 5 to 16 years. The study did not include children with inherited or acquired diseases of the musculoskeletal system, chronic diseases of the liver or kidneys, diabetes, thyrotoxicosis or malabsorption syndrome or professional athletes.