Aims Fractures during childhood and adolescence are common as peak bone mass has not yet been accrued; previous studies have reported that offspring are at higher risk of a fracture if one or both parents has experienced a fracture. However, it is not known if parental fracture demonstrates differential risk profiles across the sexes. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the associations between maternal and paternal fracture history and offspring fracture risk in early life.
Methods Women (n=1,336) and men (n=1,174) enrolled in the Geelong Osteoporosis Study were included. Parental and personal fracture history from birth until 20 years of age was determined through self-report at the baseline visit (women: 1993-97; men: 2001-06). Univariate logistic regression models were used to assess the odds of fracture. Exposures of paternal, maternal or any parent fracture were tested.
Results In total, 208 (15.6%) women and 292 (24.9%) men experienced a fracture at 20 years of age or younger. In women, 48 mothers and 59 fathers had experienced a fracture before the age of 20 and in men 18 mothers and 43 fathers, respectively. Maternal fracture, paternal fracture and either parental fracture were associated with an increased odds of fracture in women (OR 2.32, 1.22-4.41, p=0.010, OR 1.91, 1.04-3.51, p=0.036, and OR 2.25, 2.41-3.57, p=0.001, respectively). Paternal fracture was associated with an increased odds of fracture in men (OR 2.04, 1.09-3.81, p=0.026). There were no other associations in men.
Conclusion Parental fracture history appears to be sex-specific, whereby both maternal and paternal fracture history increases the risk of fracture in girls, while only paternal fracture history in boys. Paternal, rather than maternal, history of early life fracture appears to be a more consistent predictor of early-life fractures across the sexes.