Children with autism spectrum disorder have sustained bone deficits in the radius and tibia shaft: 1-year follow-up

Higher risk of fracture in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may be related to poor bone development in childhood. Prior research indicates that children with ASD have a lower areal bone mineral density (aBMD) but similar aBMD gains during development when compared to typically developing (TD) children. Little is known about bone mass, structure and estimated strength development in children with ASD. The primary aim of this study was to compare bone mass, structure and strength at baseline and over 1-year between children with ASD and their TD peers. Results indicate that children with ASD had 19-28% smaller area at the radius shaft and tibia and 37% lower strength at the radius shaft while annual changes did not differ from their TD peers.