Corticosteroid exposure not associated with long-term bone mineral density in pediatric liver transplantation.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine the association of corticosteroid exposure and other skeletal risk factors with bone mineral density (BMD) and fractures following pediatric liver transplantation (LT) at a large single center.

Patients And Methods: Lumbar spine BMD, measured using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), was corrected for bone age in 52 ambulatory children ages 4 to 18 years, at least 1 year post-LT. Potential risk factors for skeletal health such as corticosteroid exposure, dietary and lifestyle factors, and growth and fracture occurrence, were related to BMD using univariate and multivariate regression analyses.