Reference data for BMD in children 2-10 years of age assessed by DXL Calscan.

• Aim To collect normative data in order to generate pediatric reference values for calcaneal bone mineral density (BMD) in healthy 2 - 10-yr-old Swedish children. Background Site-specific information on bone mass development is important when investigating children with different disorders. The lower extremities e.g., are affected at an early stage in children with neuromuscular disorders such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in combination with a laser measurement of the heel thickness, DXL Calscan (Demetech AB), measures BMD in the heel bone and an apparent density (BMAD) is calculated. The DXL Calscan is portable, easy to use, has a short measurement time, gives a low absorbed radiation dose and the method is applicable in very young children and in individuals with disabilities. Subjects and Method Healthy, Swedish children were randomly included. The left foot was scanned in 117 2-yr-old, 110 4-yr-old and 107 7-yr-old children, 50% were boys, using the DXL Calscan technique. More than 35 % of the children from each age group were followed for another 2 years. A total of 645 measurements in children aged 2 – 10 yrs were performed. Height and weight were determined annually and questionnaires concerning general health were completed at every visit. Results The mean BMD in the 2-yr-olds was 0.17 ± 0.003 g/cm2, in the 4-yr-olds 0.22 ± 0.003 g/cm2 and in the 7-yr-olds 0.30 ± 0.005 g/cm2. The 7-yr-old girls had a significantly higher BMD than the boys (p=0.026) but there were no significant gender differences in the calcaneal BMD in 2- and 4-yr-olds. BMD was significantly correlated with age (p<0.001, r=0.78). A weaker correlation was found between BMAD and age (p<0.001, r=0.23). Based on the data from the 2-yr follow-up; a total of 645 (328 girls/ 317 boys) measurements, reference curves (mean ± 2 SD) were produced for calcaneal BMD in girls and boys aged 2 - 10 yrs according to age and height. Conclusions Gender differences are present in the heel bone BMD at an early age. This study presents gender specific reference curves for heel BMD for children 2-10 yrs of age. These data will be valuable in future research and for evaluating the bone health in children with different disorders and a useful complement when other bone mass measurement techniques are not possible to use, e.g. due to metallic implants.BMAD may reflect mineralization without the influence of bone size. Disclosures: None

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Pediatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Pediatrics (hsv//eng)

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Ortopedi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Orthopaedics (hsv//eng)

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