Biochemical markers of bone turnover

Three studies to evaluate procollagen type I C-terminal propeptide, type I collagen cross-linked telopeptide and bone alkaline phosphatase (BALP) in the assessment of bone turnover and growth in children are presented. (1) In 50 short normal children treated with placebo or growth hormone, Delta BALP after 3 months of treatment was highly correlated with height velocity response after 1 year (r = 0.67, p < 0.0001). (2) In 12 children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia, marked changes in collagen peptides, BALP, and lower leg length velocity were seen during the first 6 months of chemotherapy. Suppression occurred during induction and the two intensification phases, with catch-up during the intervening phase (paired t-tests, p < 0.001). (3) Fourteen babies (birthweight < 1,500 g) treated with high-dose dexamethasone for bronchopulmonary dysplasia were compared with 25 non-steroid-treated babies < 1,500 g. Both collagen peptides decreased rapidly and dramatically (mean decreases 41-68%) after dexamethasone was started, accompanied by weight loss and lower leg shrinkage and followed by recovery during steroid weaning.