Urbanization of the Ovahimba people is associated with an increasing prevalence of disorders of glucose metabolism and other unfavorable metabolic parameters. Besides changes of lifestyle, this may be attributed to an increased cortisol exposure of the Ovahimba people living in an urban environment.
We present the case of a 34-year-old woman with a prenatally diagnosed osteogenesis imperfecta type II of one fetus of a diamniotic-dichorionic twin pregnancy at 28 weeks and 2 days of gestation. The diagnosis was suspected after a routine ultrasound examination, specified by 3D-ultrasound and confirmed with moleculargenetic analyses of COL1A1 with DNA of fetal cells obtained after amniotic drainage. Since a premature rupture of membranes occurred a cesarean section was performed at 36 weeks of gestation. Both newborns received primary medical care by neonatologists. The affected child received further treatment initially stationary, later as an ambulant patient. Even though ultrasound is a powerful tool to identify clinical features of osteogenesis imperfecta, the condition can finally only be confirmed by collagen or DNA analyses. We discuss the possibilities and limits of prenatal diagnosis, treatment options as well as issues that are relevant for genetic counseling.
The prevalence of osteoporosis in Sub-Saharan African (SSA) countries is low, however, as urbanization takes root, it is predicted that bone health will decrease dramatically. The bone health of the semi-nomadic Ovahimba people of Namibia was investigated in the context of urbanization and changes of the sociocultural environment. Furthermore, data on bone health in SSA countries is scarce; there exists no ethnic-specific reference group for people of black origin. Included in the study were 98 urban and rural living Ovahimba people. Quantitative ultrasound was performed, sunrise/sunset saliva cortisol concentrations was measured and a questionnaire was conducted. There was no significant difference in the QUS parameters, however, after adjustment for confounders, SOS and SI differed significantly. The saliva cortisol concentrations differed significantly. After adjustment for confounders, saliva cortisol was significantly negatively correlated to SOS (r= -0.27, p = 0.021) giving an indication for an association between cortisol concentration and QUS parameters. The urban group furthermore showed a nutritional transition. Even though the bone health of the Ovahimba is very good, first signs of the adverse effects of urbanization were detected. Beside changes of lifestyle, this may be attributed to an increased cortisol exposure of the Ovahimba people living in an urban environment due to an increased psychosocial stress.
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