Normative calcaneal quantitative ultrasound data as an estimation of skeletal development in Swedish children and adolescents

Calcif Tissue Int. 2010 Dec;87(6):493-506. doi: 10.1007/s00223-010-9425-5. Epub 2010 Oct 20.

Abstract

We present age- and gender-specific normative bone status data evaluated by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in the calcaneus with the Lunar Achilles device and compare these estimates with bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density (BMD) estimated by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Included were a sample of 518 population-based collected Swedish girls and 558 boys aged 6-19 years. QUS measurements included speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), and stiffness index (SI) in the calcaneus. DXA measurements included BMC and BMD in the femoral neck (FN), lumbar spine (L2-L4), and total body (TB). Height and weight were measured with standard equipment. Age, height, and weight were significantly associated with SOS, BUA, and SI. Compared to SOS, in both girls and boys there was a higher correlation between BUA and FN BMC (r = 0.71 and r = 0.73, respectively), FN BMD (r = 0.68 and r = 0.67, respectively), L2-L4 BMC (r = 0.70 and r = 0.64, respectively), L2-L4 BMD (r = 0.69 and r = 0.64, respectively), TB BMC (r = 0.76 and r = 0.75, respectively), and TB BMD (r = 0.74 and r = 0.74, respectively). The correlations between SOS and FN BMC (r = 0.38 and r = 0.52, respectively), FN BMD (r = 0.41 and r = 0.52, respectively), L2-L4 BMC (r = 0.31 and r = 0.40, respectively), L2-L4 BMD (r = 0.32 and r = 0.41, respectively), TB BMC (r = 0.42 and r = 0.49, respectively), and TB BMD (r = 0.48 and r = 0.54, respectively) were lower, although still significant (all P < 0.001). BUA seems to be the QUS parameter that best resembles the changes in BMC during growth.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorptiometry, Photon
  • Adolescent
  • Body Weight
  • Bone Density
  • Bone Development*
  • Calcaneus / diagnostic imaging*
  • Calcaneus / growth & development
  • Child
  • Female
  • Femur Neck / diagnostic imaging
  • Femur Neck / growth & development
  • Humans
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / diagnostic imaging
  • Lumbar Vertebrae / growth & development
  • Male
  • Regression Analysis
  • Sweden
  • Ultrasonography
  • Young Adult