Effectiveness of vitamin K2 on osteoporosis in adults with cerebral palsy

Background: Osteoporosis can lead to spontaneous fractures in adults with cerebral palsy (CP). Undercarboxylated osteocalcin(ucOC) is a useful marker for vitamin K insufficiency in osteoporosis. The primary objective of this study was to determine the effect of vitamin K2 on bone mineral density (BMD) in adults with CP and vitamin K insufficiency.

Methods: Sixteen adults, median age of 56 years, with CP and osteoporosis in whom the serum ucOC concentration exceeded 4.5 ng/mL were included. All patients received 45 mg of vitamin K2 per day. BMD was measured and presented as a percentage of the young adult mean (%YAM). Serum levels of ucOC and BMD were measured at baseline and after 6 and 12 months.

Results: Serum levels of ucOC decreased from 7.8 ng/mL (range, 4.9–32) at baseline to 3.9 ng/mL (range, 1.9–6.8) after 6 months(P = 0.001). BMD increased from 59%YAM (range, 45–67) at baseline to 68%YAM (range, 50–79) after 12 months (P = 0.003).

Conclusions: Vitamin K2 had a positive effect on BMD in osteoporotic adults with CP and high serum concentrations of ucOC,and might be useful as a first line treatment for osteoporotic adults with CP and vitamin K insufficiency.