title: A method for sonographic counting of the lower vertebral bodies in newborns and infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether the lumbosacral junction of the vertebral column can be identified with sonography in newborns and infants and thus serve as a method for counting the lumbar and sacral vertebral bodies.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 32 newborns and infants, the number of ossified vertebral bodies distal to the lumbosacral junction was counted with sonography and radiography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sonographic and radiographic findings agreed in 29 of 32 examinations (91%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lordotic transition at the lumbosacral junction can be identified with sonography in the majority of newborns and infants, allowing intraspinal structures to be related to a specific vertebral level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Beek
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: van Leeuwen
authors.forename: N M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Bax
authors.forename: E H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Dillon
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Witkamp
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: van Gils
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008159:Lumbar Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D011859:Radiography; D012447:Sacrum / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography