Evidence of increased intrauterine bone resorption in term infants of mothers with insulin-dependent diabetes.

Infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) have lower bone mineral content than control subjects at birth. We measured cord blood propeptide of type I procollagen (PICP), a marker of bone formation, and telopeptide of type I collagen (ICTP), a marker of bone resorption, in 25 term IDMs and 20 term control subjects. Concentrations of ICTP were higher in IDMs than in control subjects; there was no difference in PICP concentrations. We conclude that osteoclastic activity appears to be higher in IDMs than in control subjects in utero.