engleski

Ultrasonographic assessment of calcaneus in healthy Croatian children

Objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship of estimated bone mineral density (eBMD) measured on the os calcis in children by "Sahara Clinical Bone Sonometer" (Hologic Inc., Waltham, MA) to age, puberty, gender and anthropometry. Measured feet were size 4-11 as recommended by manufacturer. Height, weight and percentage of body fat were also measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. This study comprised 431 healthy caucasian girls (N=217) and boys (N=214) aged 7-11 years (prepubertal) and 15-17 years (pubertal), recruited from local schools. Pubertal girls were at least 2 years postmenarchal, had regular menstrual cycles and Tanner's stage 4 or 5. Pubertal boys had also Tanner's stage 4 or 5. The BMD values were significantly higher (6.9-10.4%) in pubertal children in respect to prepubertal, regardless of gender (p<0.01) and positively correlated with age and anthropometric variables (height, weight, percentage of fat tissue and BMI). The difference between genders were not significant neither in prepubertal or pubertal children. The average annual increase of eBMD in calcaneus would be 1.0-1.5%. The longitudinal study should be conducted to certify this results. In conclusion, estimated bone mineral density in children mesured on the os calcis by the bone ultrasonometer was clearly correlated with age and puberty as well as with anthropometry but not with the gender.

Bone mineral density; ultrasound; children

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